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Gio Ponti aims to make history in Man o' War
Although Gio Ponti has won only once in the interim, in last October's Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), the high-class six-year-old continues to perform well in defeat. Runner-up to Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) in his 2010 finale, Gio Ponti attempted the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) without a prep, finishing a respectable fifth. He returned stateside with a third to a loose-on-the-lead Mission Approved in the Manhattan, where the lack of pace on yielding ground proved too much to overcome. Gio Ponti, who will break from post 5 with regular rider Ramon Dominguez, would be helped by firmer going Saturday. Mission Approved has been a remarkable $35,000 claim for Naipaul Chatterpaul. After almost shocking the 2010 Man o' War in his first start for his new barn, he was not seen again until the Manhattan. The 11-month layoff was no obstacle to the seven-year-old, who got away with a soft pace and stayed on strongly down the stretch. Jose Espinoza will try to mastermind another tour de force from the rail.
AL KHALI (Medaglia d'Oro) was another foiled by the conditions in the Manhattan, winding up fourth on ground that didn't favor him. While the Bill Mott charge isn't the most consistent runner, he's capable of a big run on occasion, as demonstrated by his nimble victory in the Bowling Green H. (G2) over this course and distance last fall. BEARPATH (Dynaformer), a troubled fourth in last year's Man o' War, seeks better luck this time. The Ian Wilkes trainee has endured a lengthy dry spell since taking the 2010 Pan American S. (G3), but just missed on the head-bob last time in the May 28 Louisville H. (G3). BOISTEROUS (Distorted Humor) has earned his way into this graded debut by winning four of his last five for Shug McGaughey. The Phipps Stable runner hinted that he belongs among these with a score in the May 22 Three Coins Up S., beating Grade 2 victor Grassy (El Prado [Ire]), and boasts a prior win over the course and distance. In contrast, NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy) is a proven commodity at the Grade 2 and 3 level, but ventures into unknown territory at this trip. The Patrick Biancone pupil will be making his second start of the year in this spot, having rallied to finish a good fifth in the June 12 Monmouth S. (G3) in his comeback. That form looks solid enough: the Monmouth was won by subsequent United Nations S. (G1) winner Teaks North (Northern Afleet), and another multiple Grade 1 hero, Get Stormy (Stormy Atlantic), checked in third. Also at Belmont on Saturday, distaffers will square off in the $60,000 Caress S. over six furlongs on the Widener turf. The respective top three finishers from the June 8 Nonsuch Bay S. here -- ROSE CATHERINE (Speightstown), SEA ROAD (Tale of the Cat) and BECKY'S EXCHANGE (Exchange Rate) -- are all slated to meet again. MUCH REJOICING (Distorted Humor), seventh in the one-mile Just a Game (G1) in her latest, had previously captured the Glia S. at this shorter distance and merits respect on the drop in class and trip. Grade 2-placed QUALIA (Saarland) tries the turf for the first time, while Grade 2 queen HOUR GLASS (Petionville) and FIVE GRAND GIRL (Five Star Day) are the two main track-only entrants in the 13-strong field.
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