2023 United Nations Stakes Replay | Therapist Gives Owner Dubb Third Straight Race Win

Therapist won the 2023 United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park, giving owner Michael Dubb his 3rd straight victory in the race. Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

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The press release:

The third time was more than the charm for owner Michael Dubb, who won the $600,000, Grade 1 United Nations Stakes on Saturday’s Haskell Stakes Day undercard at Monmouth Park when Therapist rallied from far back and kicked clear through the lane under strong urging from jockey Javier Castellano.

The 8-year-old Therapist, whom Dubb claimed for $50,000 in January, rewarded the confidence of his owner and trainer Mike Maker with his second graded stakes win and first top-level score since coming into the barn. He covered the 1 3/8 miles on a firm turf course in 2:14.50 to defeat eight rivals.

“I followed this horse throughout his career,” said Dubb, who won the last two editions of the United Nations with Adhamo and Tribhuvan. “I knew the ability he had and that’s why I claimed him. When he got a little older they put him in claiming races, so we tried to claim him for $25,000 and got out-shook.

“When they put him back in for $50,000, I knew he was worth that and quite a bit more. This (the United Nations distance) is Mike Maker’s sweet spot. When we got him, the horse hadn’t been racing this long and I asked Mike why he wanted to go this long. He said he saw it in the breeding.

“I wasn’t here for the first two (Adhamo in 2022 and Tribhuvan in 2021). I had not been here for the other two and didn’t want to jinx it today. I got lucky when I came today. It’s amazing to win this race three years in a row.”

Catnip, the 6-5 favorite, was 1½ lengths behind in second. Red Knight, also trained by Maker, was three-quarters of a length back in third.

Therapist is a gelded son of Freud out of Lady Renaissance and was bred in New York by Oak Bluff Stable and Christophe Clement. By winning the 70th running of the United Nations, Therapist became a millionaire, boosting his earnings to $1,605,815 with the $612,000 top share of the purse.

Therapist improved his record to 13-5-8 in 42 lifetime efforts. Sent off at $12.30-1 he returned $26.60.