Co-owner David Miller, a former quarterback for the Louisville Cardinals, called an audible and reaped the benefits as Three Technique made the grade with a powerful stretch-drive surge under Javier Castellano to capture Saturday's $250,000 John A. Nerud (G2), a seven-furlong sprint for older horses, at Belmont Park.
Trained by Jason Cook and owned by Miller in partnership with Eric Grindley and John Werner, the 6-year-old Mr Speaker horse was making his first start over 'Big Sandy' since a third-place effort in the 2021 John A. Nerud won by Mind Control.
Three Technique was cross-entered in Sunday's one-mile Hanshin at Ellis Park, and the connections were hoping to see their charge avenge a narrow runner-up effort to eventual Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) victor Cody's Wish in that event at Churchill Downs.
But when the Hanshin was moved from a one-turn mile at Churchill to a one-and-a-half turn configuration out of the chute at Ellis Park, the team decided the dark bay's late-running Hail Mary style was better suited to Belmont, where he now boasts a record of 6-2-2-2.
“We've been watching Ellis Park for the first 120 races and every race has been on the lead, speed, go to the front, and our horse is a closer. It wasn't setting up for us, so we figured we would take a shot up here at Belmont,” Miller said.
Twisted Ride broke alertly and dueled for the lead with Little Vic as the latter took over through an opening quarter-mile in :23.16 over the fast main track. Candy Man Rocket, who exited the inside post under Junior Alvarado, was maneuvered to the outside and stalked from second position as the half-mile elapsed in 46.08.
Candy Man Rocket advanced to even terms with Little Vic at the top of the lane as a host of challengers lined up, including Three Technique, who waited patiently for racing room behind rivals before angling outside for a clear run at the leaders. Candy Man Rocket put away Little Vic, but he was no match for the closing kick of Three Technique, who powered to a 3 3/4-length score in a final time of 1:22.88.
Synthesis arrived in the final jumps to complete the exacta by a head over Candy Man Rocket with Sheriff Bianco, Little Vic, Twisted Ride and Weyburn, who was off a step slow as the 8-5 mutuel favorite and never factored, rounding out the order of finish.
Castellano said his patient approach paid dividends.
“He doesn't like to be inside. I had plenty of horses inside and outside me and had to wait as long as I can, but I was following the right horse and I tipped outside and let him roll,” Castellano said. “He took off. It took him a moment to switch leads, and then finally he switched the lead and he took off. He was running with the wrong lead, and he was running every step of the way that I asked him – he responded.”
Three Technique, previously owned by Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Parcells, launched his career in New York with trainer Jeremiah Englehart, scoring three wins ahead of his initial Nerud effort. He was made available at the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale but did not meet his reserve price and was haltered by Cook for $40,000 from a runner-up effort in November at Churchill when conditioned by Robert Medina.
The hard-trying Three Technique captured the restricted Knicks Go for Cook last May at Churchill and entered Saturday's race from a game optional-claiming score over well-regarded Kupuna traveling a one-turn mile on May 27 at the Louisville oval.
Cook said he would like to find one race to bridge the gap to another attempt at the one-mile Grade 3 Ack Ack in September, a race that Three Technique finished third in last year at Churchill.
“I've always wanted to win the Ack Ack. It's a personal goal of mine,” said Cook, who secured his first win in New York State. “Last year, after the Hanshin, he didn't run again until the Ack Ack. I gave him the winter off so he would be better than he was last year and his last two races have paid off.”
Manny Franco, aboard the multiple graded-stakes placed Synthesis, said he was proud of his horse's effort.
“I had a wide trip but at the same time, I feel like we weren't going that fast. I just let my horse do his thing,” Franco said. “He was traveling well and I don't get in his way. He did great to finish second.”
Bred in Kentucky by Omega Farm and Bally Breeders, Three Technique was produced by Nite in Rome, by Harlan's Holiday. He banked $137,500 in victory while improving his record to 31-6-6-7 and lifetime purse earnings of $808,237. He returned $13.60 for a $2 win bet.
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