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Main Sequence makes it four straight in BC Turf
Meanwhile, the 8-5 favorite Telescope was reserved in a perfect rail-skimming spot by Ryan Moore. Flintshire was likewise well placed in midpack, and Main Sequence was content to race farther back in keeping with his custom. Hardest Core continued to show the way through a mile in 1:36, and tried to set sail for home after 1 1/4 miles in 2:00 3/5. An inviting seam opened up for Telescope cornering into the stretch, and the favorite gave his supporters a brief thrill as he seized it. But Flintshire was also on the march, and widest of all, Main Sequence was moving best of all. Those two outkicked Telescope in the lane, with Main Sequence's turn of foot slightly superior to the stubborn Flintshire. The winner covered 1 1/2 miles in 2:24 4/5 and paid $14.40 to win. "Rajiv told me all about the horse and how to ride him," Velazquez said. "He told me everything good about the horse and he (Main Sequence) did exactly what he said. It was the perfect trip." "This is a very emotional day," Motion said. "A year ago on this day, I was in hospital with Johnny (Velazquez) and he was in really serious condition (after his spill in the 2013 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies). It's a powerfully emotional day." Flintshire's connections were pleased with his effort in defeat. "Had a perfect trip -- in the clear all the way early," jockey Maxime Guyon said. "I asked him to start running at the three-eighths pole, and he did. I had to stay to the outside. When the winner ran by us, he tried to kick on again but it was just too late." "He's run a really good race," Juddmonte Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. "Maxime got him into good position and he's run on really well. He is still coming good and he's a still a possible for Hong Kong, or maybe Dubai next year. I will leave that decision up to (trainer) Andre Fabre." Twilight Eclipse, who has placed in all of Main Sequence's triumphs, maintained the trend by getting up for third. Telescope was a one-paced fourth. "He's run a good race, but the race wasn't really run to suit him," trainer Sir Michael Stoute said of Telescope. "He needs to be able to do it one long progression. He's a long striding horse for a track like this." Next came Chicquita, Hangover Kid, Imagining, Hardest Core, Big John B, Finnegans Wake, Brown Panther and Starspangled Heat. Magician, the 2013 Turf hero, was scratched Wednesday after coming up lame and retired to stud at Ashford. Main Sequence doubled his bankroll to $3,298,311 from his 18-8-3-3 record. The chestnut was originally trained in England by David Lanigan. He won his first four career starts, capped by the Lingfield Derby Trial that had been transferred to Polytrack. Best of the rest behind Camelot in the 2012 Derby at Epsom, Main Sequence suffered a nightmare-trip fourth in the Grand Prix de Paris, or else he might well have won a Group 1 laurel in Europe. He ended his 2012 season with a close second in the Great Voltigeur and a fifth in the St Leger.
Main Sequence's second dam is Group 2-placed stakes victress Burning Sunset, herself a half-sister to 2007 Epsom Oaks winner Light Shift; English highweight mare Shiva; multiple Group 2 hero Limnos; Grade 1-placed Hyades; and Molasses, the dam of Group 3 scorer Magadan. Main Sequence's fourth dam is French champion and classic winner Northern Trick, who was brought into the Niarchos fold when purchased for $530,000 as a Keeneland July yearling in 1982. Her influence has extended to Brazil, with such descendants as two-time champion Jeune-Turc and Group 1 victor Nonno Luigi. Click here for the transcript from the winning connections. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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