McPeek leaning toward Champagne for maiden winner The Truth Or Else

ELMONT, N.Y. – Although The Truth Or Else had made the first three starts of his career on the turf, trainer Ken McPeek always viewed him as a dirt horse.

So it was little surprise to McPeek when The Truth Or Else galloped to a 2 1/2-length victory in a one-mile dirt race at Belmont Park on Sept. 12. The performance was good enough to have McPeek strongly considering running the son of Yes It’s True here in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne Stakes. McPeek also has him cross-nominated to the Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland the same day.

“Off his last race, I’d be inclined to keep the horse in New York,” McPeek said. “I think he has a chance to be a really special colt.”

After sprinting him on the turf first time out in June at Belmont, McPeek ran The Truth Or Else twice going 1 1/16 miles on turf at Saratoga and he finished third and then fourth.

In his dirt debut at Belmont, The Truth Or Else stalked the early pace, rallied four wide in the stretch, and glided away from the field under a hand ride from Joel Rosario.

“This is a really, really good horse; we’ve been anxious to get him on the dirt,” McPeek said. “I didn’t want to run five or 5 1/2 or even six furlongs. I entered him seven-eighths [in Saratoga], but the timing didn’t work out so we ran him long on the grass. He’ll probably never see the grass again.”

Others pointing to the Champagne include Saratoga Special winner I Spent It, Funny Cide Stakes winner Upstart, and maiden winners Daredevil and El Kabeir. Trainer Steve Asmussen is expected to run either Holy Boss or Bold Conquest. Requite is also possible.