Monmouth Park: Chinchon back to defend United Nations title

Chinchon has traveled the globe since his victory last summer in the Grade 1, $750,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Bred in Ireland and based in France, Chinchon has raced in Canada, Dubai, and Singapore since then without success.

A 6-year-old, Chinchon returns to defend his title Saturday in the premier turf event of the meet.

He will find plenty of competition facing him in this Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In challenge race. The winner gets an automatic berth in the $3 million Turf in November at Churchill Downs.

This the first of two Breeders’ Cup challenges at Monmouth. The winner of Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 31 will get a spot in the $5 million BC Classic.

The winner of the U.N. will be the third Breeders’ Cup Turf qualifier this year. Two spots were nailed down Sunday, as Earnestly won the Takarazuka Kinen in Japan and Sarafina took the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France.

BREEDERS' CUP CHALLENGE: Race schedule and past winners »

Chinchon faces 10 rivals from the outside post in the 1 3/8-mile race in a field that includes a Breeders’ Cup winner: Eldaafer in the Marathon on the dirt last November.

Chinchon isn’t the only foreign-based runner in the field likely to attract attention. Stacelita, a 5-year-old mare, is already a three-time Group 1 winner in her native France.

Among the domestic runners, Bourbon Bay and Teaks North are among the most accomplished.

Bourbon Bay has won four graded stakes in California for trainer Neil Drysdale. He was third most recently in the Grade 1 Charlie Whittingham at Hollywood Park.

Teaks North is perhaps the best local hope. He captured the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap back in February and the Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes last time out, the prep for the U.N.

Completing the field are: the entry of Pulsion and Belle Watling from trainer Patrick Biancone; Sleepless Knight; Bold Hawk; and General Perfect.

The supporting event Saturday is the Grade 3, $200,000 Salvator Mile, with Morning Line the horse to beat. Last year’s Pennsylvania Derby winner, he closed out that campaign with a heartbreaking head loss in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. His prior two races this season were Grade 1’s: a second to Giant Oak in the Donn Handicap and a victory in the Carter at Aqueduct.

Rule, Soaring Empire, Kensei, Motovato, Cactus Charlie, and Friesan Fire complete the Salvator field.

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