Messier hangs on to take Westchester over Post Time
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Messier denied Post Time his fifth straight stakes victory on Friday, when he held that one off by three-quarters of a length to win the Grade 3, $175,000 Westchester at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back in third to Charge It.
The Westchester was one of two stakes on the card. Royalty Interest became a stakes winner when she led throughout to capture the Grade 3, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay.
Messier ($8.20) dueled with Adero through fractions of 23.26 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.16 for the half-mile on a fast track, before overtaking that one through six furlongs in 1:09.80. He went on to win the one-turn mile race run on a fast track in 1:34.50. He earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.
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Jose Gomez was aboard for trainer Richard Dutrow Jr.
Messier is a son of Empire Maker who has now won 4 of 14 starts for earnings of $593,690. He is owned by SF Racing, Madaket Stables, Lansdon Robbins, III, Tom Ryan, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm.
Post Time came into the Westchester off a win in the Grade 2 Carter at Aqueduct, which was his fourth consecutive stakes victory. Charge It was making his first start since running fourth in last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
Trainer Chad Brown won the Sheepshead Bay for the seventh time in his career, when Royalty Interest held on for a head win over Star Fortress. It was another nose back in third to La Mehana.
Royalty Interest ($23) was clear through fractions of 25.99 for the opening quarter, 52.08 for the half-mile, 1:18.20 for six furlongs, and 1:43.28 for the mile on turf rated firm. She proceeded to cover the 1 3/8 miles for fillies and mares in 2:18.05. She earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure.
Eric Cancel was aboard for Klaravich Stables.
Royalty Interest has now won 3 of 5 starts for earnings of $157,320. She is a daughter of Le Havre.
McKulick finished fourth and Parnac finished fifth.
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