Domestic Spending Dominates Manhattan

ELMONT, NY – Klaravich Stables’ Domestic Spending rallied furiously in the stretch to take the lead en route to dominating his rivals late in Saturday’s $750,000 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park.

Domestic Spending broke from post 4 under Flavien Prat as the 3/2 heavy favorite and settled off the pace in seventh as his Chad Brown stablemate Tribhuvan struck out to a lengthy early lead and posted fractions of :23.81, :46.95, 1:11, and 1:35.51 for the opening mile.

Sent five-wide off the far turn, Domestic Spending unleashed a lethal turn of foot that swept him past every rival including Tribhuvan.

Taking command as he neared the 1/16 pole, Domestic Spending continued blasting away before crossing 2 3/4 lengths much the best.

The final time for the 1 1/4-mile good inner turf course route was 1:59.08.

“He went a mile and 1/4 well today,” said Prat. “He showed a good turn of foot last time and today, with the strong pace, it’s hard to show the same turn of foot and he did. I think I had more in reserve. He was floating a little bit down the lane, but I felt that I had more horse.”

Tribhuvan saved second by 1 1/4 lengths over Gufo, who nearly hit the outer rail as he rounded the far turn before correcting and kicking his way onto the board.

Masteroffoxhounds took fourth by a 1/2-length and a neck over Rockemperor and Master Piece, respectively.

Channel Cat, Colonel Liam, City Man, and Bye Bye Melvin completed the running order.

After the race, the stewards held an inquiry to determine whether Domestic Spending had interfered with Masteroffoxhounds as he went past, but no changes were made to the original finishing placement.

Domestic Spending’s win was his fourth straight overall and third straight against Grade 1 company, following victories in last November’s Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar and May’s Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs. The British-bred 4-year-old Kingman gelding’s overall record now stands at 7-6-0-1 with $1,314,500 earned.

“This has been an important race for us,” said Brown, who has now won 6 of the past 8 editions. “It’s such a great tradition, and to be run before the Belmont Stakes (G1) every year, it is one of the premier turf races for males at a classic distance in the country and I hold it in high regard. We point for it every year and I’ve been so lucky, me and my team, to have some good horses through the years to work with.”

Domestic Spending returned $5 to win, $3.60 to place, and $2.70 to show. Tribhuvan brought back $12.60 to place and $6.80 to show. Gufo paid $3.30 to show.