2019 Man o’ War Stakes Study Guide

May 09, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A talented field of nine will travel 1 3/8 miles on the Belmont Park inner turf in Saturday’s $700,000 Man o’ War Stakes (G1). The lucrative grass event features a pair of European imports from the mighty Aidan O’Brien stable, and it appears to be a very good betting event with multiple legitimate contenders.

Here is the field:

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Hunting Horn Career Racing Stats

15 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
5 Show
Total Career Earnings: $734,551

Top BRIS Speed rating (97) for third-placing in W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3)

Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier
Breeder: Lynch-Bages and Rhinestone Bloodstock (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Michael Hussey

Sire: Camelot
Dam: Mora Bai
Color: Bay

This Group 3 star makes his first run following a fourth-place finish in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) for Aidan O’Brien. The four-year-old colt has experience on the Belmont Park turf following his third-place run in the 2018 Belmont Derby (G1). The well-bred bay will be forwardly placed from his rail post in this competitive event.

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Zulu Alpha Career Racing Stats

24 Starts
8 Wins
3 Place
5 Show
Total Career Earnings: $495,397

Top BRIS Speed rating (101) in W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3) win

Owner: Michael M. Hui
Breeder: Calumet Farm (KY)
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Javier Castellano

Sire: Street Cry
Dam: Zori
Color: Dark Bay

This former claimer has evolved into one of the top turf stayers in the United States since the fall and rates a big chance in this spot. The gelded six-year-old comes in with two previous graded tallies this campaign, and he was a close third in the Elkhorn Stakes (G2) at Keeneland most recently. This Kentucky-bred will make his Belmont Park debut while receiving a rider change to Javier Castellano.

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Village King Career Racing Stats

12 Starts
4 Wins
0 Place
4 Show
Total Career Earnings: $394,694

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) for third-placing in Pan American Stakes (G2)

Owner: Angels of Catalina Inc.
Breeder: Santa Maria de Araras (ARG)
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Sire: Campanologist
Dam: Villard
Color: Bay

This Argentine import ran his best race since coming to the United States when third in the Pan American Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park last out. The Group 1 hero is the inside pace of the field and he shows a pair of solid morning breezes on the turf in advance of this assignment. Regular rider John Velazquez will be in the controls once again.

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Arklow Career Racing Stats

18 Starts
5 Wins
3 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,073,382

Top BRIS Speed rating (105) in 2018 Kentucky Turf Cup (G3) win

Owner: Donegal Racing, Joseph Bulger and Peter Coneway
Breeder: John R. Penn and Frank Penn (KY)
Trainer: Brad Cox
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Sire: Arch
Dam: Unbridled Empire
Color: Bay

This win contender from the potent Brad Cox barn unseated his rider in a recent allowance race at Keeneland when making his 2019 debut. The five-year-old millionaire was fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) in his four-year-old finale, and he has moved forward since being stretched out to marathon distances on the lawn. The Kentucky-bred will never be far from the early tempo under regular pilot Florent Geroux.

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Magic Wand Career Racing Stats

12 Starts
2 Wins
3 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,633,298

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) for second in Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1)

Owner: Michal Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier
Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux and Skymarc Farm Inc. (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Sire: Galileo
Dam: Prudenzia
Color: Bay

This classy import is the lone filly in the field and the horse to beat. The Group 2 heroine has three times been runner-up at the Group or Grade 1 level, and has run very well in both prior assignments in the states. The Aidan O’Brien pupil was a creditable fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), which preceded a runner-up performance in the Pegasus World Turf Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park . The Irish-bred four-year-old will be tough to upend with her best showing.

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Focus Group Career Racing Stats

12 Starts
5 Wins
0 Place
3 Show
Total Career Earnings: $438,164

Top BRIS Speed rating (105) for third-placing in 2018 Canadian International Stakes (G1)

Owner: Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence
Breeder: Dixiana Farms LLC (KY)
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Kitten’s Joy
Dam: Cocktail Hour
Color: Dark Bay

This five-year-old was a winner in his 2019 debut when gamely rallying late to capture the Pan American Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. The Kentucky-bred dark bay has arguably the best turn of foot in the field, but he has never done his best work at Belmont Park, with just a third-place effort from four prior tries at this venue. Irad Ortiz Jr. retains the mount and will try to run them all down inside the final furlong.

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Epical Career Racing Stats

11 Starts
4 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $279,980

Top BRIS Speed rating (112) in San Luis Rey Stakes (G2) victory

Owner: Deron Pearson
Breeder: Jamm Ltd. (KY)
Trainer: James Cassidy
Jockey: Tyler Baze

Sire: Uncle Mo
Dam: Klondike Hills
Color: Bay

This West Coast invader earned a whopping 112 BRIS Speed figure for his front-running victory in the San Luis Rey Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park . The peaking gelding has reached new heights since stretching to similar distances on the turf, and he comes in with a trio of wins and a close second in his last four turf tests. The son of Uncle Mo lands in a field with a lot of pace but he still could be the one to catch turning for home.

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Channel Maker Career Racing Stats

23 Starts
4 Wins
4 Place
3 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,542,108

Top BRIS Speed rating (106) for second in 2017 Hollywood Derby (G1)

Owner: Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and R. A. Hill Stable
Breeder: Tall Oaks Farm (ON)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Sire: English Channel
Dam: In Return
Color: Chestnut

The Grade 1 victor and Canadian champion earned his biggest triumph to date, the 2018 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (G1), on this lawn and could be ready for a big performance making a third run off the layoff. The gelded five-year-old from the Bill Mott barn had a nice prep for this race when a close fourth at Gulfstream Park most recently, and he shows two morning drills on the dirt at Belmont in preparation of this run. Joel Rosario will guide the versatile Ontario-bred.

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Kulin Rock Career Racing Stats

14 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
4 Show
Total Career Earnings: $142,852

Top BRIS Speed rating (93) for second in allowance race at Gulfstream Park

Owner: Three Diamonds Farm
Breeder: J. Bonner Young (KY)
Trainer: Mike Maker
Jockey: Kendrick Carmouche

Sire: Lonhro
Dam: Miracle Moment
Color: Dark Bay

This longshot in the cast draws widest for his Grade 1 debut. The gelded five-year-old comes in with two solid races going long on the green in succession, including a third-place finish in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park two prior. One of two in the field for Mike Maker, the Kentucky-bred is a one-run closer in a field with a plethora of speed which will aid his chances. Kendrick Carmouche inherits the mount.