Turf Classic winner Santin confirmed for Manhattan

ELMONT, N.Y. - Santin, upset winner of the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, will attempt to stretch out to 1 1/4 miles in the Grade 1 Manhattan here on June 11, trainer Brendan Walsh confirmed Thursday.

Santin, a son of Distorted Humor, won the Turf Classic by a neck over Mira Mission, with it being six lengths back to third-place finisher Adhamo, the 2-1 race favorite.

“I thought he ran great, we had pointed him toward it all winter, he peaked on the right day,” Walsh said. “He beat some very good horses. We had to decide on the Manhattan and he’s done really, really well since Churchill so that’s the obvious next target.”

Santin won his first two starts going a mile before getting beat a neck in last November’s Grade 1 Hollywood Derby. His last four starts have all been at 1 1/8 miles so he will be stretching out an additional furlong in the Manhattan.

“I think he’s bred to go long, he’s very, very rateable, he’ll do whatever you want, I don’t see why he wouldn’t get another furlong,” Walsh said. “I look forward to seeing him there over that big, galloping track.”

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The Manhattan is expected to draw a solid field that is likely to include Adhamo, Channel Maker, Gufo, Highland Chief, In Love, and Rockemperor.

Walsh said it is “highly likely” he will ship Family Way for Friday’s Grade 1 New York. Family Way won the Grade 3 Orchid at Gulfstream Park in April 2. She came back to finish second behind War Like Goddess in the Grade 3 Bewitch.

“She ran a couple of really nice races in Florida before she came up north,” Walsh said. “We’ll likely send her there early next week. If she brings her best race she should be competitive.”

The New York is expected to draw a trio of runners from the Chad Brown barn - undefeated Bleecker Street, Rougir, and Virginia Joy. Lovely Lucky is expected to run. Core Values, Scarabea, and Except Temptation are possible.