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Vekoma Scores Front-Running Victory In Runhappy Met Mile

Under Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano, R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' Vekoma scored a front-running victory in Saturday's Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile Handicap at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., holding off late charges from Network Effect and Code of Honor and earning an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in the Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

Trained by George Weaver, Vekoma – 4-year-old colt by Candy Ride out of G1 Humana Distaff winner Mona de Momma, by Speightstown – covered one mile on a fast track in 1:32.88 after setting fractions of :22.73, :45.87 and 1:09.57.

Network Effect, who altered course in the stretch after lacking room along the rail, finished second. Code of Honor closed on the outside for third, with Warrior's Charge fourth and McKinzie fifth in the field of eight older runners.

Vekoma carried 123 pounds, two less than high-weight McKinzie. Both went off at 9-5.

The win was the sixth in eight starts for Vekoma, winner of the G3 Nashua at 2 in 2018, the G2 Blue Grass Stakes in 2019 and then 13th in the G1 Kentucky Derby. Given a lengthy rest by Weaver after the Derby, Vekoma came back in March to win the Sir Shackleton Stakes at Gulfstream, then came from just off the pace to win the G1 Carter Handicap on June 6. Network Effect finished second that day, too.

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Candy Ride’s Vekoma All the Way in Runhappy Met Mile

Given a positive ride by Javier Castellano, R A Hill Stable and Gatsas Stable’s Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}) dared them to catch him in Saturday’s GI Runhappy Metropolitan H. at Belmont, and catch him they could not, as the immaculately bred chestnut made every yard of the running to best perfect-trip Network Effect (Mark Valeski) by 1 1/4 lengths. Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) was forced to cover ground on the turn, but plugged on gamely to be third, while favored ‘TDN Rising Star’ McKinzie (Street Sense) had little stretch response and could do no better than fifth.

The second betting choice by roughly $15,000, Vekoma was kicked straight into a clear advantage and galloped along comfortably enough a bit off the inside through an opening quarter in :22.73 over a drying-out Belmont main track that was yielding fast times all afternoon. The outposted Warrior’s Charge (Warrior’s Reward) prompted from second, while McKinzie–who endured a luckless trip when runner-up to Mitole (Eskendereya) in this 12 months back–was kept in the clear and out of harm’s way by Mike Smith from close up in fourth.

Vekoma, who romped to a 7 1/4-length defeat of Network Effect in the GI Runhappy Carter H. June 6, was nursed along into the turn after a half that was posted in a very manageable :45.87, but they were beginning to close ranks. Endorsed (Medaglia d’Oro), second to Code of Honor in the GIII Westchester S. June 6, attacked three wide, McKinzie four deep and Code of Honor was waited with on the back of the latter nearing the stretch. Shaken up off the home corner, Vekoma fended off Warrior’s Charge at the furlong grounds, dug in doggedly and held sway, as Network Effect parlayed his golden trip into a runner-up effort. Code of Honor ran with credit to be third, while traveling 29 feet (about three lengths) more than the winner, per Trakus data.

“I was happy with our trip around the backside,” said trainer George Weaver, winning his fourth career Grade I and second in succession. “I knew we had natural speed, and no one really went with us, so I was happy with the fact that he was there. At the quarter pole, it seemed like all comers were coming and I thought, ‘Man, does he have anything left in the tank or not?’ When they got to the eighth pole and I saw him re-break and keep going, I got excited. It was fun.”

Winner of the GIII Nashua S. at two going a one-tun mile, Vekoma was the stalk-and-pounce winner of last year’s GII Toyota Blue Grass S. and was shelved after a 13th–placed 12th–in the GI Kentucky Derby. The chestnut won the seven-furlong Sir Shackleton S. at Gulfstream Mar. 28 ahead of his tour-de-force in the Carter over that specialist trip last time. Vekoma is the first to complete the Carter/Met double since Wild Rush in 1998.

Pedigree Notes:

Vekoma is one of 16 top-level winners for his hugely successful stallion and is one of two foals to race from his dam, who defeated champion Informed Decision (Monarchos) in the GI Humana Distaff H. in 2010. Vekoma’s now 6-year-old half-sister Bloody Point (War Front) won half of her six career starts and is the dam of a colt foal by Quality Road. His unraced 5-year-old half-sister L’Age d’Or (Medaglia d’Oro) foaled a War Front filly this year. Vekoma is Mona de Momma’s last listed produce.

Vekoma’s unplaced second dam was a half-sister to GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up Mr. Greeley (Gone West) and to the stakes-winning Majestic Legend (His Majesty), whose daughter Bedazzle (Dixieland Band) was responsible for champion, GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and GI Kentucky Derby- winning ‘TDN Rising Star’ Street Sense (Street Cry {Ire}). The female family also includes MGISW ‘Rising Star’ Paradise Woods (Union Rags).

Saturday, Belmont Park
RUNHAPPY METROPOLITAN H.-GI, $500,000, Belmont, 7-4, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:32.88, ft.
1–VEKOMA, 123, c, 4, by Candy Ride (Arg)
1st Dam: Mona de Momma (GISW, $384,399), by Speightstown
2nd Dam: Society Gal, by Linkage
3rd Dam: Long Legend, by Reviewer
($135,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP). O-R. A. Hill Stable & Gatsas Stables;
B-Alpha Delta Stables, LLC (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Javier
Castellano. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 8-6-0-1, $1,245,525.
Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Network Effect, 120, c, 4, Mark Valeski–Sandy Key Gal, by
Put It Back. ($95,000 2yo ’18 OBSAPR). O-Klaravich Stables,
Inc.; B-Louis Jolin (FL); T-Chad C. Brown. $100,000.
3–Code of Honor, 124, c, 4, Noble Mission (GB)–Reunited, by
Dixie Union. ($70,000 RNA Ylg ’17 KEESEP). O/B-W. S. Farish
(KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $60,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, HF. Odds: 1.95, 13.50, 3.60.
Also Ran: Warrior’s Charge, McKinzie, Mr Freeze, Endorsed, Hog Creek Hustle.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Vekoma’s Partners Hoping Thrill Ride Continues In Runhappy Met Mile

After running the race of his life with an emphatic 7 1/4-length romp in the Grade 1 Runhappy Carter, R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' Vekoma tackles an even tougher field assembled for Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Runhappy Met Mile at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

The recent eye-popping victory under Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano, which garnered a 110 Beyer, was a second start of the year for the Candy Ride chestnut colt who made his 2020 bow a winning one in the Sir Shackleton on March 28 at Gulfstream Park. Last year, Vekoma earned accolades heading into the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby after drawing away to victory in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland for trainer George Weaver.

To earn a second Grade 1 victory, Vekoma will have to topple a field that includes last year's Grade 1 Runhappy Travers and Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup-victor Code of Honor and McKinzie, the winner of last year's Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga.

Already a winner going a one-turn mile during his 2-year-old campaign in the Grade 3 Nashua, Vekoma will be stretching back out to a mile from the seven-furlong Carter.

“He's got so much talent it's unreal,” said co-owner Mike Gatsas. “I think he can handle it. Javier knows the horse very well and he can get the distance without a problem. They have a great rapport with one another, so we'll let him decide on a trip.”

In both of his 4-year-old starts, Vekoma has displayed tactical speed sitting just off of the pacesetters before making a winning bid at the top of the stretch.

Gatsas anticipates that Vekoma will display a similar running style on Saturday.

“He has some early speed, so he'll help set the pace somewhat,” Gatsas said. “He won't be on the lead, but he should be forwardly placed. Javier rides him extremely well and understands him well, so he knows what he's doing.”

Vekoma, named after a Dutch manufacturing company of roller coasters as a nod to his champion-producing sire's name, has taken his connections on an exciting ride. Hill and Gatsas also partnered with graded stakes-placed Our Country, who ran eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last November at Santa Anita as well as New York-bred stakes winner Funny Guy.

“It's such a great partnership, but what's really good about it is that it's also a great friendship,” Gatsas said. “We've had a lot of fun over the years. We've gone to the Derby, the Breeders' Cup together and we just won the Carter so it's been such a fun experience.”

Vekoma, bred in Kentucky by Alpha Delta Stables, is out of the Speightstown broodmare Mona de Momma who also is a Grade 1 winner going seven furlongs.

Being a Grade 1 winner with a Grade 1-winning sire and dam makes Vekoma quite enticing as a stallion prospect, but Gatsas said a triumph in the Runhappy Met Mile, which is known for being a “stallion making race”, could make his breeding value even more appealing.

“Hopefully this adds to his resume,” Gatsas said. “He also won the Blue Grass last year so I'm sure a lot of Kentucky farms would be interested in that. He took down that field real well, too.

“He's just such a special horse,” Gatsas added. “He's not a big, strapping colt, but he is really well-built.”

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McKinzie Headlines Loaded Runhappy Met Mile

A talented and deep field of eight will line up for Saturday’s highly anticipated 127th renewal of the GI Runhappy Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park.

An unlucky second behind the mighty Mitole (Eskendereya) in last year’s contest, ‘TDN Rising Star’ McKinzie (Street Sense) figures to vie for favoritism. He was first or second in all seven of his starts in 2019, led by a win in Saratoga’s GI Whitney S. and a runner-up finish in the GI Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The four-time Grade I winner made up for a dismal performance in the inaugural $20-million Saudi Cup Feb. 29 with a good-looking victory in the seven-furlong GII Triple Bend S. at Santa Anita June 7. Hall of Famer Mike Smith makes the trip from Southern California to guide the 2-1 morning-line favorite.

“I think any time you win a Grade I on the East Coast it’s pretty important, especially at Belmont and Saratoga. It’s like hitting a home run in Yankee Stadium, it means something,” Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert said.

“His comeback race was just perfect. If he brings his ‘A game,’ that’s what we’re looking for. He’s doing really well.”

Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}), winner of last year’s GI Runhappy Travers S. and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. over subsequent Classic hero Vino Rosso (Curlin) via disqualification, kicked off his 4-year-old campaign with a well-timed decision over Endorsed (Medaglia d’Oro) in the GIII Westchester S. in the Belmont mud June 6.

“He just grew up physically in his body and his mind,” Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said. “He’s gotten more aggressive and he’s caught onto what it’s all about now. He was still figuring things out last year, especially earlier in the year. Everything he’s done this year has been good. He acts like he’s ready to run.”

Moved up to second via disqualification in the GI Kentucky Derby, Code of Honor is three for four at Belmont Park, including a track-and-trip score in last July’s GIII Dwyer S.

Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}), well-beaten in last year’s Kentucky Derby, has found his niche racing around one turn this term. A sharp winner of Gulfstream’s Sir Shackleton S. Mar. 28, the chestnut realized a career high while earning a gaudy 110 Beyer Speed Figure with a jaw-dropping victory over Network Effect (Mark Valeski) in a sloppy renewal of the GI Runhappy Carter H. in Elmont June 6. Both wins were at seven furlongs.

The Runhappy Met Mile offers a free berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November at Keeneland.

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