Ocala Dream wins Spectacular Bid, Sport Model takes Cupecoy's Joy
Ocala Dream became a stakes winner Saturday when he shuttled to a length win over Step Dancer in the $150,000 Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Stakes at Belmont Park.
It was another half-length back in third to Barrage.
The Spectacular Bid was one of two restricted turf stakes for 3-year-olds on the card. Sport Model burst to the lead in the stretch for a half-length win over Funwhileitlasted in the $150,000 Cupecoy’s Joy division of the New York Stallion Stakes.
Ocala Dream ($8.40) settled off the pace set by Dreamer’s Disease, who took the field through an opening quarter in 22.82 seconds and a half-mile in 45.61. Ocala Dream advanced on the turn, came four wide into the stretch, moved to the fore and went on to win with authority. He covered seven furlongs on firm turf in 1:21.20.
“He broke alertly and put himself in a good spot,” winning rider Junior Alvarado told New York Racing Association publicity. “I just had to guide him turning for home. Once I got him in the clear, he knew what to do after that. I kept after him just a little bit to get the job done. He wasn’t the favorite, but he was much the best today.”
Alvarado was aboard for trainer Tom Morley. Ocala Dream is a son of Effinex who races for the partnership of Thomas Albrecht, Vincent Fusaro and James Klein. The horse has now won 2 of 5 starts and has earned $137,600.
King Moonracer was a late scratch.
Sport Model takes Cupecoy's Joy
In the Cupecoy’s Joy, Sport Model ($14.80) tracked the pace set by Shaker Shack, who took the field through fractions of 23.22 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.15 for the half-mile. Sport Model made the front, then held off a fast-closing Funwhileitlasted to win her first stakes race. Sport Model covered seven furlongs on firm turf in 1:21.16.
“She’s progressing,” winning rider Luis Saez told NYRA publicity. “She was very good today. I knew I had a lot of horse and when we got to the top of the stretch, she just took off. She was battling. When she felt the pressure coming, she gave me another gear.”
Shaker Shack held third, finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind Funwhileitlasted.
Christophe Clement trains Sport Model for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. The daughter of Freud has now won 2 of 4 starts for earnings of $107,550.