Gabby's Golden Girl Takes June Acorn Stakes
Gio Ponti Manhattan Handicap Victor While Better Talk Now Ran Third
Jun 20, 2009
While ten-year-old grade one winner Better Talk Now ran third in the $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap (G1) the first week in June, Gabby's Golden Gal grabbed the title in the $300,000 Acorn Stakes, the most prestigious race on the Belmont Stakes undercard for fillies. Gio Ponti won the Manhattan driving and putting away a determined run from Cosmonaut, then Marsh Side in the final furlong.
Belmont Stakes Undercard Most Prestigious
All the American Triple Crown races have famous undercards, but perhaps the most prestigious of them is the Belmont Stakes with the first leg of the filly Triple Tiara, the Acorn Stakes, and one of New York's great main events, the Manhattan Handicap.
A crowd of almost 53,000 gathered to witness the day's events and were especially treated to a huge run by old warrior Better Talk Now in the Manhattan.
Jockey Jeremy Rose took Better Talk Now through his paces for the first time. Trainer H. Graham Motion was talkative after the oldster finished third, telling interviewers he would likely point the game horse to the Sword Dancer. "We would love to win another Grade 1 with him," he said, claiming Better Talk Now seemed back to usual form after a lay-off.
Undercard Results From Belmont Stakes
$400,000 (G1) Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap for older horses at 1-1/4 miles on turf: (1st) Gio Ponti, ridden by Garrett Gomez, trained by Christophe Clement, in 2:02.91 by 1-1/2 lengths; (2nd) Marsh Side -- Javier Castellano -- Neil Drysdale -- by 1-1/4 lengths; (3rd) Better Talk Now; (9th) favorite Cowboy Cal.
$300,000 (G1) Acorn Stakes for three-year-old fillies at one mile on dirt: (1st) Gabby's Golden Gal -- Javier Castellano -- Bob Baffert, in 1:34.79 by 1-3/4 lengths; (2nd) favorite Justwhistledixie -- Julien Leparoux -- Kiaran McLaughlin -- by 3/4 length; (3rd) Casanova Move -- Jose Lezcano -- James Jerkens.
Gabby's Golden Gal suffered over heating and did not participate in the winner's circle, but later checked out satisfactorily after receiving veterinary assistance.
$400,000 (G1) Just a Game Stakes for older fillies and mares at one mile on turf: (1st) Diamondrella -- Rajiv Maragh -- Angel Penna Jr., in 1:36.49 by 1-3/4 lengths; (2nd) favorite Forever Together -- Leparoux -- Jonathan Sheppard -- by 1-1/4 lengths; (3rd) My Princess Jess -- Cornelio Velasquez -- Barclay Tagg.
$350,000 (G2) True North Handicap for older horses at six furlongs on dirt: (1st) favorite Fabulous Strike -- Ramon Dominguez -- Todd Beattie, in 1:07.85 by 1-1/4 lengths; (2nd) Benny the Bull -- Edgar Prado -- Richard Dutrow Jr. -- by 2-1/2 lengths; (3rd) Silver Edition -- Leparoux -- D.Wayne Lukas.
Benny the Bull made his first start since returning from a 2008 injury.
$250,000 (G2) Woody Stephens Stakes for three-year-old springers at seven furlongs on dirt: (1st) Munnings -- John Velazquez -- Todd Pletcher, in 1:20.63 by 5-1/4 lengths; (2nd) Everyday Heroes -- Jose Caraballo -- Tim Ritchey -- by a head; (3rd) Kensei -- Robby Albarado -- Steve Asmussen. The favorite was This Ones for Phil.
Munnings cruised in his first race since competing in 2008's Breeders' Cup Championships at Santa Anita.
