Neck 'n Neck, Majestic Harbor meet in Marathon Stakes
The veteran campaigner Neck ’n Neck found new life when he attempted a marathon distance for the first time, snapping a lengthy losing streak. He will attempt to continue his momentum in that niche in the Grade 2, $200,000 Marathon Stakes on Friday’s Breeders’ Cup undercard at Keeneland.
Neck ’n Neck, a 6-year-old trained by Ian Wilkes, defeated Majestic Harbor by a half-length in the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup at Parx in September. The 1 1/2-mile race was his fourth career graded stakes victory but his first win since November 2012. After finishing second to Street Strategy – who is entered in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – in a one-mile optional-claiming race earlier this month at Keeneland, the horse stretches back out to 1 3/4 miles for the Marathon.
Majestic Harbor, a 7-year-old trained by Paul McGee, is back for more after coming close in the Greenwood Cup. The horse had a productive 2014 campaign, taking the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita and the Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup – the latter at 1 1/2 miles. He has never been unplaced at Keeneland and won an allowance here in the spring.
Neck ’n Neck, a slight 3-1 morning-line favorite, drew post 4 under Paco Lopez. Majestic Harbor, 7-2, landed in post 9 under Corey Lanerie, who recently wrapped up his first Keeneland riding title.
Also coming out of the Greenwood Cup is For Greater Glory, who finished third.
Fast Away comes into the Marathon off three consecutive victories but is stretching out from his most recent start at a mile and 40 yards.
Closing Bell in Bryan Station
Also on Friday’s card is the $100,000 Bryan Station Stakes for 3-year-olds on turf. The morning-line favorite is Closing Bell, who knocked heads with stiff competition all summer for trainer Bill Mott. The colt finished fourth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby – beaten less than a length for second – in just his third career start, then was second to Highland Reel in the Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes.
Given class relief, Closing Bell won the Dueling Grounds Derby by a head last out at Kentucky Downs and appears poised to take another step forward here in a field devoid of major stakes winners. Joel Rosario will be aboard for the first time.
One Go All Go and Fundamental both exit the Grade 2 Commonwealth Derby at Laurel, where they finished first and second.
Tale of Verve, the runner-up to American Pharoah in the Preakness Stakes, is making his turf debut.