Wake Forest tops Brown trio in United Nations

Chad Brown has won two of the last three editions of the Grade 1 United Nations on the turf at Monmouth Park with Big Blue Kitten. For good measure, he filled out the exacta last year with Slumber.

Brown has entered three runners in Sunday’s 1 3/8-mile United Nations, all of whom could have a say in the outcome and all of whom will race as separate betting interests. Wake Forest, the winner of the Man o’ War at Belmont Park in May, is the likely U.N. favorite. Money Multiplier, the Man o’ War runner-up, may well be the second choice. The form of Mr Maybe is muddled, but a repeat of his Red Smith victory last fall at Aqueduct puts him in the mix.

The purse of the United Nations was cut from $500,000 to $300,000 this year as Monmouth trimmed $1.1 million from its stakes schedule. The race drew a field of 10. World Approval, trained by Mark Casse, is the biggest threat to the Brown contingent.

Wake Forest, 6, was a two-time Group 3 winner in his native Germany. He finished fifth in the Arlington Million last summer for trainer Andreas Wohler before being turned over to Brown.

Wake Forest missed by a head to Kaigun in the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream in April before winning the Man o’ War. He broke slowly in both races and then displayed a strong closing turn of foot.

“Not that I’ve had a lot of horses from Germany, but he’s a different kind of horse than you’d expect,” Brown said. “He’s light-framed and likes firm turf. He continues to improve.”

Money Multiplier was keen early in the Man o’ War and prompted the pacesetter, with a big gap back to the rest of the field. He hung on well in the stretch to hold second by a length over Can’thelpbelieving, who had an ideal trip but lacked the needed closing kick. Can’thelpbelieving also is in the U.N. field.

Money Multiplier is only 2 for 10 in his career but is still improving. If he relaxes better early, he is a strong player here and may get the jump on Wake Forest.

United Nations, Race 9

Key Contenders

Wake Forest, by Sir Percy

Beyers: 101-101-97

◗ He has broken from the gate last in both of his starts this year, and his lack of speed means he will have to find a clear path through traffic.

◗ He finished beautifully in the Man o’ War, making up about two lengths through a final eighth of 11.39 seconds.

Money Multiplier, by Lookin At Lucky

Last 3 Beyers: 100-89-93

◗ There isn’t a lot of speed in this field, with Cement Clement the likely pacesetter. He should get a good setup from several lengths back.

World Approval, by Northern Afleet

Last 3 Beyers: 105-103-97

◗ Ended up on the lead in the slow-early, fast-late Manhattan and hung on well to be third to the Brown-trained Flintshire, possibly the best turf horse in the country. Ironicus, who also ranks high in the division, ran a giant race to nip World Approval for second.

◗ The 1 1/4-mile Manhattan was the longest race of World Approval’s career by a furlong, and he will stretch out another eighth of a mile in the U.N.

◗ Jockey Florent Geroux will need to get him into a nice rhythm. He could end up tracking possible pacesetter Cement Clement.

Mr Maybe, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 96-104-101

◗ He didn’t get untracked until too late in his lone start of the year, the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream Park in March, and finished third, beaten 4 1/4 lengths. He ended 2015 with a pair of visually impressive victories, including the Red Smith at Aqueduct.

◗ Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard for his two wins last fall, rode Money Multiplier in the Man o’ War but gets back aboard Mr Maybe on Sunday. Javier Castellano, who rode Mr Maybe in the Mac Diarmida, will be aboard Money Multiplier.

◗ Will offer value in vertical exotic wagers.