Breeders' Cup Max Player’s Stalking Trip Equals Jockey Club Gold Cup Glory September 4, 2021 Credit: NYRA Breeders' Cup Max Player’s Stalking Trip Equals Jockey Club Gold Cup Glory September 4, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds’ Max Player replicated his last-out winning stalking trip to similar success, getting his first taste of Grade 1 glory for winning Saturday’s $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga. The Jockey Club Gold Cup is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Max Player receiving an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar this November. Full Card Plays Now Available There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why Max Player broke from post 2 under Ricardo Santana Jr. as the 3/1 third choice in the field of six older males and settled off the right hip of Forza Di Oro, the rail-breaking 6/5 favorite. After closely tracking the bettors’ choice through opening fractions of :24.05, :48.70, and 1:13.14, Max Player ranged up to apply pressure in the far turn and soon met Forza Di Oro’s eye. Overtaking the pacesetter by the 1/8 pole, the Steve Asmussen trainee drew off late to win the 1 1/4-mile fast dirt route by 4 lengths in 2:02.49. “I was happy with him,” said Santana Jr. “Today, he broke good, so I was really happy with it. The trainer is doing all the work.” Credit: NYRA The 2/1 second choice Happy Saver took second over Forza Di Oro by a 1/2-length. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Happy Saver won last year’s running when it was held at Belmont Park. “I thought he ran very well,” Pletcher said. “We got bottled up in behind horses in a pace-less race. He ran on well, but we’d benefit from a more truly-run race. I’m proud of his effort.” Trainer Bill Mott had no immediate response for Forza Di Oro’s disappointing finish as the favorite. “I’m disappointed that he didn’t get the 10 furlongs,” Mott said. “I just didn’t think he had any excuse.” Night Ops, Chess Chief, and Forewarned completed the order of finish. Max Player’s win was his second straight after closely stalking and narrowly winning July’s 1 1/2-mile Suburban Stakes (G2) in the Belmont Park slop. The 4-year-old Honor Code colt’s record now stands at 11-4-1-2 with $1,252,500 earned. “It was beautiful,” Asmussen said. “Max, in the Suburban, ran that race under different circumstances on an off track. For him to do this on a fast track in the Jockey Club Gold Cup here at Saratoga, it is very satisfying. This is who he is, and I thought it was a dominating win.” Max Player returned $9.60 to win, $4.70 to place, and $2.60 to show. Happy Saver brought back $3.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Forza Di Oro paid $2.10 to show.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More