Visit Our CDI Partners

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

Last updated: 6/7/15 7:08 PM

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).

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com

Workout Reports

ADVERTISEMENT