Ottoman Fleet takes Fort Marcy in North American debut
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Ottoman Fleet won his North American debut Saturday when he caught loose-on-the-lead longshot Tide of the Sea for a 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Marcy at Belmont Park.
It was another neck back in third to City Man and another neck to comebacking Grade 1 winner Rockemperor.
The Fort Marcy was for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf. It shared a card with the Grade 2, $200,000 Ruffian, won by Pass the Champagne, and the $150,000 Elusive Quality, captured by Anaconda.
Ottoman Fleet ($4) settled in sixth along the rail as 56-1 shot Tide of the Sea jumped out to a clear lead, setting fractions of 23.71 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.81 for the half-mile and 1:11.91 for six furlongs.
Ottoman Fleet began his bid into the final turn, found room along the inside in the stretch, and moved past Tide of the Sea before putting some separation between himself and the field. The winner covered the distance on firm ground in 1:47.25 and was given a 102 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He had one to aim at and I thought he might have got there a bit sooner, but the opportunity came down the rail and I had to take it,” winning rider Richard Mullen told the publicity department for the New York Racing Association. “He’s a horse on the up. I wouldn’t be surprised for this horse to step up in grade, especially over here as I think this style of racing and track suits him.”
Ottoman Fleet came into the Fort Marcy off a Group 3 win in the Earl of Sefton on April 18 at Newmarket. He is a son of Sea the Stars who races for Godolphin and is trained by Charles Appleby. Ottoman Fleet has now won 4 of 11 starts for earnings of $345,259.
Grade 3 winner Tide of the Sea was coming out of a key allowance run in November at Aqueduct. He finished seventh in the race won by Atone, who returned in his next start to account for the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational. Tide of the Sea is one of three other next-out winners to emerge from the allowance at Aqueduct.
Anaconda takes Elusive Quality
Anaconda overcame trouble to catch Yes and Yes on the wire to win the $150,000 Elusive Quality by a nose.
It was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third to pacesetter Heaven Street, while Thin White Duke, a half-brother to Yes and Yes, finished fourth.
The Elusive Quality was for 4-year-olds and up over seven furlongs on turf.
Anaconda ($5.50) was forced to check down the backside as Heaven Street jumped out and set fractions of 23 seconds for the opening quarter and 46.58 for the half-mile. Yes and Yes pushed past the leader in the later stages, then was caught by Anaconda, who was angled off the rail into the stretch and quickened, covering the distance on firm ground in 1:21.94.
Kendrick Carmouche was aboard the son of Pioneerof the Nile for Three Diamonds Farm and trainer Joe Sharp.
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