Triple Threat makes good in U.S. debut in Monmouth

Triple Threat (left) won by a whisker from Middleburg to cap the triple-themed weekend (Bill Denver/Equi-Photo) In a fitting conclusion to Triple Crown weekend, French import Triple Threat (Monsun) made a winning U.S. debut off a nine-month layoff in Sunday’s $205,000 Monmouth S. (G2). Team Valor International and Gary Barber’s homebred just prevailed over Middleburg (Lemon Drop Kid) by a bob of the nose at the wire. Formerly trained by Andre Fabre and now in the care of Bill Mott, Triple Threat rated as the co-second choice with Middleburg at 5-2. Both were reserved near the back of the compact field as Inchcape (Indian Charlie) carved out tepid fractions of :25 1/5, :50 2/5 and 1:14 2/5 on the firm turf. Middleburg moved first down the stretch to accost the longtime leader. But Triple Threat, who had saved ground throughout from his rail post, then tipped out for Jose Lezcano. Gaining ground fast, Triple Threat joined Middleburg, and the two raced as a team to the wire. The photo verdict went to Triple Threat in a final time of 1:49 4/5, and he returned $7.40 to win.

Inchcape held third, and Cage Fighter (Closing Argument), his nearest pursuer
early, wound up fourth. Ghurair (Elusive Quality), the 9-5 favorite, was in
striking range before flattening out for fifth. Slumber (Cacique) and Legendary
(Exceed and Excel), the respective winner and third from Saturday’s Manhattan
(G1), were scratched, along with Slim Shadey (Val Royal).

Triple Threat’s resume now reads 14-4-2-2, $370,364. A onetime classic
prospect in his homeland, the bay garnered the 2013 Prix La Force (Fr-G3), but
blew the start before getting up for third in the Prix de Guiche (Fr-G3).
Sessions with Monty Roberts helped him, and he rebounded to take the Prix Eugene
Adam (Fr-G2). He failed to build on that effort when finishing the season with
unplaced efforts in the Prix Niel (Fr-G2) and Champion S. (Eng-G1). At four in
2014, his best results were a third in the Prix d’Harcourt (Fr-G2) and a
near-miss in the Prix de Boulogne last time out September 4.

The French-bred is out of the Lyphard mare Drei, making him a half-brother to
Grade 2-placed stakes scorer Pina Colada (Sabrehill) and Mrs Marsh (Marju), the
dam of multiple highweight miler Canford Cliffs (Tagula). Triple Threat’s second
dam is Grade 2 winner Triple Tipple (Raise a Cup).

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