Belmont Man O' War Stakes Odds and Preview
by Patricia Woo | Jul 5 2010
Some of the best turf runners will be in action on Saturday, July 10 at Belmont Park in the
$600,000 Gr. 1 Man O' War Stakes. 2009 champion turf male Gio Ponti will be among the starters for this 1 3/8 mile race, along with up-and-comers Expansion and Midnite Silver.
After a breakthrough campaign in 2009, 5-year-old Gio Ponti has been struggling to find his way back to the winner's circle. He won four consecutive grade 1 races last year, including the $400,000 Manhattan Handicap as well as the 2009 edition of the Man O' War Stakes. But in Oct. 2009, he was upset by Interpatation in the $600,000 Gr. 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational and then defeated a month later by Zenyatta in the $5M Breeders' Cup Classic. He was also runner-up in his first race of this year by a mere nose before coming in fourth in the Dubai World Cup in March. Trained by Christophe Clement, this son of Tale of the Cat then returned to the U.S. and finished second in the Manhattan Handicap in June. Despite his lack of finish this year, Gio Ponti is always a threat and capable of spectacular rallies; he has a lifetime record of 19-9-6-0 and $3,763,800 in earnings.
Looking ready for a big race is Expansion, a 5-year-old horse trained by Chad Brown. Expansion's first taste of victory at the stakes level was at the end of 2009 in the $150,000 Gr. 2 Red Smith Handicap at Aqueduct. He finished fifth and fourth, respectively, in his next two races. But in his first try at grade 1 company, this Kentucky-bred son of Maria's Mon finished third behind Gio Ponti in his most recent outing in the Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park. With a preference for firm turf and recent experience at Belmont Park, Expansion should be among the frontrunners on Saturday.
Though he has been tested only against allowance race company, 4-year-old Midnite Silver is one to watch in the Man O' War Stakes. He has been developing and training well, according to trainer Cal Domino, and the Silver Deputy colt looks primed to take his next big step up: “The distance suits him, he closed fast in his last race to win and he had a really good work the other day…” He captured his second win of the year on June 2 in an allowance optional claimer at Belmont Park, boosting his 2010 record to 4-2-1-0 and $71,650 in earnings.
Others expected to line up include Grand Couturier, Interpatation and Bearpath.
Who will win the 2010 Man O' War Stakes?
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