The Manhattan (Grade 1)- $1,000.000 Purse
SAR- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and Three Sixteenths on the Turf
June 8, 2024

Albaquirky seemed like one of the better choices in the Manhattan, and the deep closer was going to make the most of this opportunity to run on a dry track. He had done quite well when it was wet, but now it was time to make a statement that he can handle any kind of weather. He’s been stretching out his distance of late, looking sharp at nine furlongs in the Forester Turf Classic before added a little more ground here. For his style, that should not be a problem and it would not be here. Albaquirky is trained by Santan Stables and was ridden by regular rider F Geroux. For each, it is their first Manhattan win. Congratulations to them! The winning race time was 1:51.14, which cannot be compared equitably to previous running’s of the race. Let’s take a look at it now:

(½ Mile- :46.62)- Master Of Disguise is the quickest out of the gate, and it seems like he’s going to be the leader at a half mile, but his stablemate at Mb Stables, Energizer Party, had other ideas and will push forward during the clubhouse turn. So, it’s these two in the top positions, with the horse running third, also being an Mb Stables runner, that being Killer Instinct. Sitting just off the lead from this trio is King Que Niagra, the post time favorite from D J C Racing Stables. Wimbledon (Night Rider Stables) and House Of Games (Spankys Barn) run side by side, with Fire and Ice (TwinTowersRacing) next on the rail and Oh Brother (Spankys Barn) on the far outside. The reigning Manhattan winner, Ziccio (Night Rider Stables) is next. Behind them, it’s about a length to Bigmikesbluedress (TwinTowersRacing) and our eventual winner from Santan Stables, Albaquirky. That one is officially scored eleventh, and six lengths out. Gallant (Royalty Stables) and Penal Hockey Party (Maxmillion Farm) trail the field.

(3/4 Mile- 1:10.25)- It’s still all Mb Stables out in front, as his three horses battle one another for the top spot. Perhaps the trainer was hoping they wouldn’t go at each other so hard with King Que Niagra patiently letting them have it while in fourth. Master Of Disguise as a head in front of Energizer Party will Killer Instinct between horses there. Following King Que Niagra, we have a four wide group with Wimbledon being half a length ahead of the others, which are Fire And Ice, House Of Games, and Oh Brother. Then it’s Ziccio, with Albaquirky only moving up to tenth thus far. Bigmikesbluedress is next, with Penal Hockey Party and Gallant at the rear.

(Top of Stretch, 1.7F To Go)- Killer Instinct wins the battle amongst his stablemates, pulling a length ahead of Master Of Disguise, who was trying to hang in there. That was not the case for Energizer Party, who lost a lot of ground. King Que Niagra moved into third and was in a good spot to make a strong stretch run to secure the victory like the betting public was expecting him to do. Fire And Ice and Wimbledon were ahead of the rest of the pack, so also in a good spot to make a push here. House Of Games found his lane to come between horses while Albaquirky moved to the rail. He still had a lot of ground to make up, but this way he likes to run and having the clear lane would be very beneficial. Oh Brother and Ziccio were still mostly even with him here. Penal Hockey Party was starting to hit his best stride, but would it be too little too late? Bigmikesbluedress and Gallant were beaten horses at this point.

(Finish- 1:51.14)- Once in the stretch, Albaquirky does what he does best, showing plenty of closing kick to work his way through the field. Approaching the wire, he still needed every ounce of energy because Killer Instinct was still running well. It would be very close at the wire and would require a photo to determine a winner. It would be Albaquirky getting up just in time to win by a nose over Killer Instinct. After a length, a photo for show was also needed, and it would King Que Niagra getting that spot over Fire Ice. Master Of Disguise was next, with last year’s winner, Ziccio, running sixth. The rest of the order will read Penal Hockey Party, Wimbledon, Oh Brother, House Of Games, Energizer Party, Bigmikesbluedress, and Gallant.

About The Winner- Albaquirky, trained by Santan Stables and ridden to victory by F Geroux, is a six-year-old gelding by Through The Tulips and is out of Sarah Jessica Parker. He was bred by Zoeller in New Mexico as a yearling, and was acquired by Santan Stables, via Nakamura Stables, for just $2.700 in the June 2021 auction. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his twelfth in 26 starts, his ninth stake win and seventh graded win. His career earnings are now $2,574.880.

Track: Firm
Time: :46³  1:10¹  1:33³  1:51

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 2 – 9 Paid 251.00
$1 Trifecta: 2 – 9 – 4 Paid 1,161.20

Scratched: One Last Punch Line, Grand Opening(L)

— NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES