Running Stag will attempt today to become the first horse since Waquoit in 1987-88 to win back-to-back Brooklyn Handicaps when he goes in the 112th running of the Grade 2 $250,000 race at Beltmont today. The starting highweight at 121 pounds, Running Stag will attempt to win for the third time since May 24.
Running Stag is coming off an impressive performance in winning the Mass ‘Cap at Suffolk Downs eight days ago. He was ridden that day by John Velazquez, because his regular jockey, Shane Sellers, was committed to ride on Heritage of Gold at Churchill Downs that day. Sellers regains the mount on Running Stag today.
Whatever the outcome today, the Phil Mitchell trainee is scheduled to go up to Canada after the race and then will head back home to Great Britain tomorrow.
The main threat to Running Stag will be Lemon Drop Kid. The 1999 Belmont Stakes winner will be adding blinkers for the first time and is second highweight at 120 pounds. He comes off a third-place finish in the Pimlico Special. He was ridden for the first time that day by Edgar Prado, who retains the mount for the Brooklyn.
1st RACE – Quick Punch broke sharply and went for the lead with Left Bank pressing on the rail. On the far turn, Left Bank took the lead and then in the stretch drew away for the victory. Trajectory stalked the pace with Bulling outside of her. Nearing the stretch, Trajectory tried to get out but couldn’t because of Bulling. Jerry Bailey then went to the rail, where she raced a bit greenly and but got up to nip Valiant Halory for the place spot.
2nd RACE – Kettle Won was last early while saving ground. On the far turn he started to move up and then Pat Day angled him to the outside for the stretch drive. He closed down the middle of the track with a powerful run, but could not get up in time for the victory. Rabi was hard-held early, but then angled out to make a wide sweeping move on the turn. He was full of run in the stretch and drew off for the victory. Come Back Ronnie saved ground early, angled outside in midstretch to try and find clear run and finished well between horses.
3rd RACE – Texas Glitter was making his first start since tiring badly in the Grade 3 Amsterdam at Saratoga. He set the pace with moderate fractions while being pressed on the rail by Ordained. On the far turn, Texas Glitter put away Ordained but faced a new challenge from Silky Sweep, who had been stalking the pace in third. Silky Sweep went by Texas Glitter without getting any resistance and drew away for the victory. Shut Out Time made a wide sweeping move on the turn to reach contention but could not keep up with the eventual winner. Texas Glitter tired in the stretch to finish third. He obviously isn’t the same horse he was early last year.
4th RACE – Gold Star Deputy set the pace and had the lead into the backstretch. J. R. Holmes made a move to press the lead entering the far turn and took it. He edged away nearing the stretch and then drew away to an easy victory. Above The Crowd saved ground throughout and closed well to finish second. Favored End of the Road saved ground, moved between horses to reach contention but then flattened out to finish third.