Slumber awakes in first-time blinkers in Manhattan

Slumber picked a good day to snap a nearly two-year losing skid (Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com) Winless since the summer of 2013, seven-year-old veteran Slumber (Cacique) was galvanized by the application of blinkers for Saturday’s $1 million Manhattan (G1), and surged to a 2 3/4-length victory in a career-best performance. Trainer Chad Brown had cross-entered him to Sunday’s Monmouth (G2), but chose the more prestigious race. His decision paid off, not only for the ownership group comprising Michael Dubb, Sheep Pond Partners and Bethlehem Stables, but also for the bettors who backed him at 14-1 and reaped a $30.20 win payout. Slumber went to his current connections for $200,000 at Keeneland last November. Previously campaigned by Juddmonte Farms, the bay had flashed talent as a sophomore in England. He placed third in the 2011 Chester Vase (Eng-G3) and Tercentenary (Eng-G3), later improved to second in the Select S. (Eng-G3), and capped his British career with a first stakes win in the James Seymour at Newmarket. That marked his only stakes score until the Manhattan. Fourth in the Hollywood Derby (G1) in his U.S. premiere, he joined Bill Mott and won a pair of allowances at Saratoga exactly a year apart. Slumber was sidelined after his victory in August 2012, and following his comeback win at the same venue in 2013, he went on to finish fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1) and sixth as the favorite in the Canadian International (Can-G1). His futility continued throughout 2014, when placing in the Mac Diarmida (G2), Pan American (G2) and Bowl Game.

Transferring to Brown for his new owners, Slumber appeared rejuvenated in his
second start for the barn, coming within a whisker of upsetting Mshawish (Medaglia
d’Oro) in the February 7 Gulfstream Park Turf (G1). He rallied for second in the
March 28 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. (G2), but didn’t make his presence felt last time
when only fifth to Finnegans Wake (Powerscourt) in the May 2 Woodford Reserve
Turf Classic (G1).

Hence the equipment change, and the headgear helped this wily old customer
turn over a new leaf. With Irad Ortiz Jr. back aboard, Slumber was reserved off
the early pace set by War Dancer (War Front) through splits of :24 4/5, :50 1/5
and 1:14 2/5 on the good inner turf.

Legendary (Exceed and Excel), who coincidentally had also been cross-entered
to the Monmouth, kept close tabs on the leader before launching his bid and at
the mile mark in 1:36 1/5. Although Legendary drove clear swinging into the
stretch, Slumber was lengthening stride in hot pursuit and soon mastered him in
short order. He drew off to finish 1 1/4 miles in 2:01 1/5.

Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy), the 3-1 favorite, closed furiously from last
to deny Legendary runner-up honors by a head. Finnegans Wake checked in another
neck away in fourth in the field of 11.

Slumber now sports a mark of 21-5-4-4, and he’s just shy of millionaire
status with earnings of $999,684.

Bred by Millsec Ltd. in Great Britain, the bay is out of the unraced Woodman
mare Sound Asleep. His second dam, Grade 1 winner Sleep Easy (Seattle Slew), is
a three-quarter sister to Grade 1 star and $1.85 million-earner Aptitude. This
is the further family of two-time champion Slew o’ Gold (Seattle Slew) and 1979
Belmont S. (G1) upsetter Coastal (Majestic Prince).

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com