Stacelita attempts to make history in United Nations

Last updated: 6/29/11 4:34 PM

In the near six-decade existence of the $750,000
United Nations S. (G1), no
filly or mare has come out on top in the noted turf fixture, with Capades (1990)
and Honey Ryder (2007) coming close with second-place finishes. The French
import STACELITA (Fr) (Monsun), a four-time Group 1 winner, might present the
best chance the distaff set has of making history when the race is renewed
Saturday at Monmouth Park over 1 3/8 miles.

Chinchon is winless since taking the 2010 United Nations

(Alyssa Spakowski/Equi-Photo)

A three-time Group 1 winner in 2009, including the Prix de Diane (French
Oaks) (Fr-G1), Stacelita added to her top-level laurels last season when taking
the Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-G1) at Deauville. However, she’s often struggled to
show the same form against the boys, with the 2010 La Coupe (Fr-G3) being her only
significant triumph over her male counterparts. Third in her seasonal debut when
defending her title in the June 13 La Coupe at Longchamp, the black mare will
have long-time Monmouth mainstay Joe Bravo in the irons for her U.S. debut.

Also invading from overseas is CHINCHON (Ire) (Marju), who landed the 2010
United Nations with a last-to first rally under Garrett Gomez, who retains the
mount for this edition. The world traveler subsequently finished off the board
in the Prix Foy (Fr-G2) and in Grade/Group 1 events in Canada, Dubai and
Singapore, but on Saturday faces few rivals of the caliber he’s met in the
preceding 12 months.

Leading the home team are TEAKS NORTH (Northern Afleet), the Gulfstream Park
Turf S. (G1) winner who snapped a three-race skid when taking the June 12
Monmouth S. (G3) over nine furlongs. More experienced at the United Nations
distance is the Californian BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]), a four-time Grade 2
winner who was most recently third in the Charles Whittingham Memorial (G1) to a
loose-on-the-lead winner.

Other domestic hopefuls include SLEEPLESS KNIGHT (War Chant), a
strong-closing second to Teaks North in the Monmouth S., and Grade 3 veteran
BOLD HAWK (Silver Hawk), winless in four starts since his return from a near
three-year absence. ELDAAFER (A.P. Indy) won the Breeders’ Cup Marathon (G3) at
1 3/4 miles last autumn and should have no trouble staying. He’s also capable on
grass having won twice in six attempts, albeit against much easier foes.

Chilean superstar mare BELLE WATLING (Chi) (Dushyantor) has been fairly
exposed in four U.S. appearances this year, while her entrymate PULSION
(Include), though Grade 1-placed as a juvenile, has developed into more or less
an allowance type runner on dirt. GENERAL PERFECT (Perfect) has won six of 11
attempts on the Monmouth turf, but the eight-year-old gelding is strictly a
one-turn specialist who will have to negotiate three in the United Nations.

Morning Line prevailed in the Carter Handicap when last seen nearly three months ago

(Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos)

The $200,000
Salvator Mile (G3) for older males on the main track has
attracted an intriguing field of seven. The marquee name in the lineup is Carter
H. (G1) winner MORNING LINE (Tiznow), whose previous exploits include a score in
the Pennsylvania Derby (G2) and a narrow beat in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
(G1).

Forced to miss the Metropolitan H. (G1) due to a setback, Morning
Line will be a strong favorite over SOARING EMPIRE (Empire Maker), who
kicked off the season with a victory in the Hal’s Hope S. (G3) and
runner-up efforts in a pair of Grade 2 events at Gulfstream. He was most
recently a dull seventh in the Met Mile.

RULE (Roman Ruler), winless since February 2010, ran well in both the
Hal’s Hope and Donn H. (G1) earlier this year but was unplaced when
favored in the Gulfstream Park H. (G2) and Charles Town Classic (G3). Grade 3 veteran MOTOVATO
(Proud Citizen) appears to be back to his best form after recent win in
the Memorial Day H. at Calder. The Marty Wolfson-trained six-year-old
had returned to action May 1 after a year-long layoff.

Grade 2
veterans KENSEI (Mr. Greeley) and FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) both seek to attain
some of their former glory, while the minor stakes-placed CACTUS CHARLIE (Not
for Love) looks very much up against it.