There are two main chances ahead of tomorrow’s Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park, with Ottoman Fleet and Up To The Mark much shorter prices than the rest.
William Buick will ride Ottoman Fleet, a 2.87 chance with William Hill. The 4-year-old and Buick won the Group 3 Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket in April before Charlie Appleby’s gelding won the Grade 2 Fort Marcy Stakes on arrival at Belmont Park a month ago, when ridden by Richard Mullen.
Well traveled, Ottoman Fleet was third three times in graded races at Meydan over the winter but this will be his first shot at a Grade 1 success.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: June 9th, 3:30 P.M. (BST)
Up To The Mark is the current favourite and best hope of a local champion taking the crown; Irad Ortiz rides for trainer Todd Pletcher.
The 4-year-old has three wins and two thirds over his five-race career, all under Ortiz’s stewardship, most recently winning the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs in May. Third in the Maker’s Mark Mile, the 2.75 shot has the Grade 1 experience that Ottoman Fleet lacks and will only have to carry two pounds more.
Warren Point is the second hope for Appleby and for owners Godolphin, at 6.50 the 4-year-old is the best of the rest for this 1 mile 2 furlong turf race.
He could only manage fifth place in the Man O’War Stakes at Belmont last month, finishing behind two of tomorrow’s rivals. Under Richard Mullen, connections will be hoping that will be put behind him and he will show the form that saw him win five of his first seven outings.
Taking victory in the Man O’War was Red Knight (12.00), who is a whole five years older than the three ahead of him in the market! More remarkable is that was the 9-year-old’s first Grade 1 triumph!
Irad Ortiz rode him that day, so Tyler Gaffalione will be on board for the first time in nearly two years as trainer Michael Maker aims to continue his renaissance.
Second that day was Soldier Rising (12.00) for Christophe Clement. The 5-year-old has been edging closer to a Grade 1 scalp; he was third in the Sword Dancer Stakes and fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last year.
Rockemporer (13.00) will have to put in quite the performance to extend Chad Brown’s winning run in this race to five. He also has Highest Honors at 23.00.
Separating them is 19.00 shot Strong Quality who has won his last two followed by Ocean Atlantique (34.00) and So High (101.00) to round off the ten-strong field.
