Red Vine looks to fire fresh in Westchester
Red Vine was the quintessential late bloomer at age 5. After winning an off-the-turf optional-claiming race in his final start of 2014, he stayed on the main track for 2015, never finishing worse than third and earning more than half a million dollars.
On Saturday at Belmont Park, Red Vine will begin his 6-year-old campaign as the favorite in the Grade 3 Westchester, a one-turn mile with a purse of $150,000. The Derby Day card also includes a pair of turf stakes, the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay, at 1 3/8 miles for fillies and mares, and the Grade 3 Fort Marcy at 1 1/8 miles.
Red Vine concluded last season with possibly his best performance, a close second in the Cigar Mile to his Christophe Clement-trained stablemate Tonalist, who is now standing stud at Lane’s End Farm. Had Red Vine not had considerable trouble in the stretch of the Cigar Mile, he likely would have gotten the jump on Tonalist and won.
Red Vine will be returning from a 161-day layoff Saturday. Clement has worked him 10 times since Feb. 20, with the first nine coming in Florida. He breezed him five furlongs at Belmont in 1:01 a week ago.
“He had a very good winter at Payson Park with me,” Clement said. “I am hoping he is fit enough. He had a nice work with me last Saturday at Belmont Park. I think he is close to 100 percent.”
The odds of Red Vine being ready for a top effort are good, as Clement is skilled at bringing horses back from this type of layoff. In the last three years, he is 24 for 77 (31 percent) with horses returning from layoffs of between 130 and 190 days. He has a positive return on investment of $2.47 with those horses.
Anchor Down and Matterhorn, a pair of 5-year-old Tapit ridglings trained by Todd Pletcher, figure as top challengers. The field also includes Mylute, who is now trained by Ralph Nicks; Samraat, and Stormin Monarcho.
Westchester, Race 4
Key Contenders
Red Vine, by Candy Ride
Last 3 Beyers: 104-103-105
◗ It is a bit concerning that Red Vine has not won in five starts, but his last four races have all come in Grade 1 or Grade 2 company, including the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Pacific Classic. He showed heart in the Cigar Mile, a race he was unlucky to lose.
◗ Red Vine will be reunited with jockey Manny Franco, who was aboard for Red Vine’s first two dirt starts and is 2 for 2 on him.
Anchor Down, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 96-100-95
◗ Has good early speed and has been competitive in the Grade 1 Carter and Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap in his last two starts. At Gulfstream, he was beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Stanford after racing on the pace three wide. Stanford came back to win the Grade 2 Charles Town Classic.
Matterhorn, by Tapit
Last 3 Beyers: 90-75-53
◗ Three of his five wins have come at a one-turn mile, including his last start at Aqueduct over high-level optional-claiming company.
Samraat, by Noble Causeway
Last 3 Beyers: 80-80-95
◗ Samraat has only started twice since finishing sixth to Tonalist in the 2014 Belmont Stakes. He finished third to Matterhorn in his comeback race, has worked twice since, and could take a step forward.