Juddmonte homebred Masen (GB) (Kingman {GB}) justified 1-5 favoritism with a decisive score in Belmont's GIII Poker S. Saturday. Away alertly from the one hole, the bay was wrangled back into second by Flavien Prat, allowing Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) a clear lead through opening splits of :24.05 and :48.26. Ranging up alongside the pacesetter turning for home, Masen took control and extended clear for a one-length score. Wolfie's Dynaghost held second over Masen's stablemate Public Sector (GB) (Kingman {GB}).
“He [Masen] ran back just inside a month, which is a little tight for him, but I wanted to get another race between now and the [GI] Fourstardave [Aug. 13],” trainer Chad Brown said. “It worked out. [He was] a little headstrong off the slow first quarter, but he did settle nicely after that. Flavien [Prat] indicated that he was pretty much in control from there just decided when he wanted to take over. By mid-stretch, he felt pretty comfortable when he forced the lead.”
“He broke well and when I asked him to switch off, it took him a little while,” Prat said. “It was a slow pace, so that didn't help, but after that he switched off nice for me. He has a great turn of foot, so I wasn't so worried about the slow pace [to close into]. It was only a matter of getting him to switch off. After that, I was fine.”
Starting his career in Europe, Masen won three of his six starts there for trainer G. M. Lyons, including the Knockaire S. at Leopardstown in October. Sent Stateside to Brown, the gelding missed by just a nose to 'TDN Rising Star' Shirl's Speight (Speightstown) in Keeneland's GI Maker's Mark Mile Apr. 15. He rolled home to a five-length win next out in the course-and-distance Seek Again S. May 22.
Pedigree Notes:
Masen is the 26th graded winner for his sire Kingman. His dam Continental Drift (Smart Strike) is a daughter of champion Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill). This is also the family of Canadian Horse of the Year Champs Elysees (GB) (Danehill); European and American champion Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill); English and French Highweight Dansili (GB) (Danehill); and Group 1 winners Romantica (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Cacique (Ire) (Danehill) and Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert). Continental Drift produced a full-sister to the winner in 2019 Lady Illiana (GB); a half-sister named Rodinia (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) in 2020; and another full-sister in 2021.
Saturday, Belmont Park
POKER S.-GIII, $242,500, Belmont, 6-18, 4yo/up, 1mT, 1:34.16, fm.
1–MASEN (GB), 120, g, 4, by Kingman (GB)
               1st Dam: Continental Drift, by Smart Strike
               2nd Dam: Intercontinental (GB), by Danehill
               3rd Dam: Hasili (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd. (GB); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $137,500. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Ire, GISP, 9-5-2-1, $426,298. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Wolfie's Dynaghost, 118, c, 4, Ghostzapper–Dynaire, by Dynaformer. O/B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Thomas Albertrani. $50,000.
3–Public Sector (GB), 124, c, 4, Kingman (GB)–Parle Moi (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). (170,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-The Kathryn Stud (GB); T-Chad C. Brown. $30,000.
Margins: 1, NO, NO. Odds: 0.30, 8.90, 3.50.
Also Ran: Sanctuary City, Penalty.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
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