Marconi much the best in Grand Prix American Jockey Club
ELMONT, N.Y. – Despite a poor start, Marconi put forth one of his most impressive efforts in recording a front-running, three-length victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational at Belmont Park.
Marconi, under Jose Lezcano, got away slowly and got brushed from the horses on either side of him but was able to make the lead after running an opening quarter in 25.23 seconds. Marconi basically ran similar quarter-mile splits to run a mile in 2:04.17 before coming home a final quarter in 23.90 seconds to cover the 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.07, easily outfinishing his stablemate You’re to Blame, who was second by 6 1/4 lengths over Realm.
Rocketry, Carlino, and Roaming Union completed the order of finish. Maraud and Highland Sky were scratched.
Marconi added the Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational – formerly known as the Temperence Hill – to early season victories in the Grade 2 Brooklyn and Flat Out – both at Belmont Park – and the Skip Away Stakes at Gulfstream.
“This might have been one of his best performances he put together as far as drawing away from the rest of the group and not waiting on other horses,” said Byron Hughes, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.
Marconi’s victory was one of three on the card for the Pletcher stable.
Marconi likes to do his running on the front end. Though he was last away from the gate, Lezcano was able to get Marconi to the front and the race was basically over.
“He always breaks a little slow, after that, long distance, you got a shot at putting them were you want to be,” Lezcano said. “I wanted to be 1-2 and the horses inside didn’t want to go. I took the lead and it worked for him. He stayed the same pace the whole way around.”
Marconi, a son of Tapit owned by Bridlewood Farm, Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, and Michael Tabor, returned $4.90 as the favorite.
Hughes believes the Grade 2, $200,000 Marathon going 1 3/4 miles on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita would likely be Marconi’s next start.