December 28, 2024

Main Sequence returns to defend United Nations title

Last updated: 7/2/15 7:41 PM











Main Sequence could etch his name alongside such legends as Round Table and Manila
(Carl Sari/Equi-Photo)





One year ago, dual Eclipse Award winner Main Sequence (Aldebaran) began his
inexorable march through the U.S. turf scene by capturing his American debut in
the $500,000

United Nations (G1)
at Monmouth. On Sunday, the Niarchos Family’s homebred
returns in the same spot, hoping to re-start his 2015 campaign after a
disappointing loss in Dubai.

Main Sequence is unbeaten in five U.S. starts for trainer Graham Motion, all
accomplished with his flair for a dramatic, up-in-time finish. Off for eight
months after his repatriation from Europe in the winter of 2013-14, he
resurfaced in the 2014 United Nations and flew late to deny Twilight Eclipse
(Purim). His ensuing victories in the Sword Dancer Invitational (G1), Joe Hirsch
Turf Classic Invitational (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) earned him not only
an Eclipse Award as champion turf male, but also the champion older male crown.

After reappearing triumphant in the February 21 Mac Diarmida (G2) at
Gulfstream, where he defeated Twilight Eclipse for the fifth straight time, Main
Sequence carried high hopes into the March 28 Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1). But
he faded after a wide trip, and a middle move, and wound up seventh.

Main Sequence was freshened upon his return home, and Motion has been pleased
with his recent works at Fair Hill.

“He is a very professional horse and is always straightforward,” Motion said.
“He’s had no problems since coming back from Dubai.

“Both workouts have looked good. I could’ve ran him a few weeks ago, but
wanted to put him in the best spot possible.”

Regular rider Rajiv Maragh will be back aboard as Main Sequence breaks from
post 6 in this 1 3/8-mile “Win & You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Should
he repeat, Main Sequence would join an honor roll of two-time UN winners
including Round Table (1957, 1959), Mongo (1962-63), Noble Dancer (1978-79),
Manila (1986-87), Sandpit (1995-96), English Channel (2006-07) and Presious
Passion (2008-09).










Stablemates Slumber and Big Blue Kitten ran one-two in the Manhattan
(NYRA/Coglianese Photography/Adam Mooshian)





In addition to familiar foes Twilight Eclipse and Imagining (Giant’s
Causeway), Main Sequence will also face the Chad Brown duo of Slumber (Cacique)
and Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) and streaking Southern California shipper
Ashleyluvssugar (Game Plan).

Slumber has awakened since joining Brown late last year, with the application
of blinkers conjuring up a career-best in the June 6 Manhattan H. (G1) at
Belmont. Overlooked at 14-1, the seven-year-old finally earned a big prize when
driving to a 2 3/4-length decision over favored stablemate Big Blue Kitten.

Big Blue Kitten, a fellow seven-year-old, seeks to regain the United Nations
title he won back in 2013. The Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred has yet to scale
the heights of that campaign, when he also captured the Sword Dancer and missed
by a whisker in the Joe Hirsch. The honest and dependable type has nevertheless
run well in the interim, and he kicked off 2015 with a convincing score in the
May 2 Fort Marcy (G3). But he’s got work to do to turn the tables on the
resurgent Slumber, as well as Main Sequence, Twilight Eclipse and Imagining.



Since getting away from Main Sequence, turf veterans Twilight Eclipse and
Imagining have had mixed results. Imagining left Twilight Eclipse back in third
when taking the March 28 Pan American (G2), but was only fifth to that same
rival in the May 9 Man o’ War (G1). Twilight Eclipse scored a deserved Grade 1
breakthrough on that occasion, only to retreat to seventh last time in the
Manhattan.

Ashleyluvssugar, in contrast, is an upwardly mobile four-year-old. Improved
markedly since stretching out on the Santa Anita turf, the Peter Eurton trainee
brings a three-race win skein including the March 21 San Luis Rey (G2) and May
24 Charles Whittingham (G2). This represents a much stiffer class test, but his
gaudy 108 BRIS Speed figure from the San Luis Rey suggests that he could be up
to it. Hall of Famer Gary Stevens comes in to maintain the partnership.

Rounding out the field are the Todd Pletcher-trained Divine Oath (Broken
Vow), who’s got a bit to find on form with these; Sycamore Lane (Artie
Schiller), who makes an audacious stakes debut off a pair of allowance wins for
Hall of Famer Bill Mott; and recent Ramsey claim Shining Copper (Aragorn), who
has the look of a pacemaker for Big Blue Kitten.










Race Day, unraced since Oaklawn, makes his eagerly awaited return in the Salvator Mile
(Coady Photography)





One race earlier at Monmouth, Race Day (Tapit) aims to continue his ascent in
the handicap division in the $150,000

Salvator Mile (G3)
.

The Pletcher pupil has won five of his last six, his lone loss in that span a
close third to Valid (Medaglia d’Oro) in the February 7 Fred Hooper (G3). The
lightly raced four-year-old then successfully invaded Hot Springs, where he
battled to a narrow victory in the March 14 Razorback (G3) and drew off
commandingly in the April 11 Oaklawn H. (G2). Race Day has been unraced since
then, but his bullet works of late imply he’s ready. Hall of Famer John
Velazquez has the return call.

Other contenders include the aforementioned Valid, who hasn’t won since the
Hooper and exits a second to the re-opposing Red Vine (Candy Ride) in the local
prep, the Majestic Light; Bradester (Lion Heart), runner-up in last year’s
Salvator Mile to Itsmyluckyday and to Valid in the 2014 Monmouth Cup (G2); and
millionaire Pants on Fire (Jump Start), who’s eligible to rebound from an
uncharacteristic seventh in the June 6 Metropolitan H. (G1).





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