Moretti flat out gallops rivals into submission in 1 3/8-mile marathon

ELMONT, N.Y. - Last year, the expensive auction purchase Marconi went from underachieving 3-year-old to multiple stakes winning 4-year-old, including a victory in the Flat Out Stakes for trainer Todd Pletcher at Belmont Park.

On Thursday, the expensive auction purchase Moretti went from underachieving 3-year-old to stakes-winning 4-year-old for Pletcher by taking the Flat Out Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths over 2019 Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston.

Breaking from post 3 under Javier Castellano, Moretti was on the inside of three other horses who seemingly were intent on being forwardly placed heading into the first turn of the 11-furlong marathon. But after maintaining just a half-length lead after the opening quarter-mile, Moretti shook loose to a 2 1/2-length advantage after a half-mile in 48.97 seconds.

Moretti maintained a clear advantage through six furlongs in 1:13.61, a mile in 1:38.39, and he covered the 1 3/8 miles in 2:16.31 in the slop. Sent off the second choice, Moretti returned $10.40.

“We kind of felt looking at the possible pace scenario he could get on the lead and we didn’t want to take away anything that came easily but didn’t want to get into an unnecessary speed duel either,” said Pletcher, who trains Moretti, a $900,000 yearling purchase, for Mike Repole and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “He broke well, put himself in a good spot, got into a comfortable rhythm and did what he does best.”

Moretti is by Medaglia d’Oro, a Travers winner, out of the Grade 1-winning dam Rigoletta. Though that makes him a half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Battle of Midway, Pletcher said he felt Moretti would appreciate the longer distances.

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“We thought this was his hole card,” Pletcher said. “We had the Belmont in the back of our mind last year, but he needed a little more time to develop. It seems like he’s finally putting everything together now.”

Sir Winston won last year’s Belmont Stakes. Thursday was just his third start since then and first since he won an allowance race at Aqueduct in January. Under Joel Rosario, Sir Winston was fifth early, moved into second by the five-sixteenths pole but could not run down the winner, while gamely holding off Expert for second by a head.

“That horse got loose on the lead and sometimes it’s a little hard to make up all the ground,” Rosario said. “I was happy with his race. I was happy with the way he fought to get second. We’ll regroup and maybe we’ll get the next one.”

Following Expert, in order, were Rocketry, You’re to Blame, Adventist, Prompt, Legit, and Blugrascat’s Smile.

Moretti and Sir Winston could possibly meet again in the Grade 2, $200,000 Suburban Stakes at Belmont on July 4.

Chichakly gets first win as a trainer

Amira Chichakly, a former assistant to trainer Gary Contessa, recorded her first win as a trainer with her fourth starter when Wild North ran down Women Not Easy to take Thursday’s nightcap by 1 1/4 lengths.

Chichakly worked about 10 years as an assistant to Contessa, who retired earlier this year. Chichakly has 17 horses, the majority of which are former Contessa-trainees.

“Very relieved to have gotten this one out of the way for sure, all the hard work has paid off but definitely grateful to Gary as well because these are horses I inherited from him,” Chichakly said afterward. “Grateful to him and his owners.”

Chichakly, who also worked for one year for Wayne Catalano, grew up around Arabian horses and was a dressage rider. Training on the New York Racing Association circuit was not something she originally set out to do.

“But this was an opportunity I couldn’t say no to,” she said. “I guess I’m glad I took that chance.”