George Steinbrenner, the principal owner of the New York Yankees and prominent horse owner/breeder who passed away July 13 at the age of 80, was renowned for his will to win, and Position Limit helped continue that legacy a day after Steinbrenner's death when breaking her maiden impressively at Belmont Park (VIDEO).
Position Limit is a 2-year-old daughter of freshman sire Bellamy Road , who dominated his opponents in the 2005 Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct by 17 1/2 lengths while racing for Steinbrenner’s Kinsman Stable.
“I thought it was interesting timing, and obviously Bellamy Road was one of Mr. Steinbrenner’s better horses,” said Todd Pletcher, who trains Position Limit for Starlight Partners. “It’s nice seeing him getting off to a good start as a stallion, and it’s a fitting tribute to the man.”
The 4-1 third choice in the fourth race July 14, Position Limit raced four-wide in fifth around the far turn, seized command from the pacesetter inside the quarter pole, and drew off under a vigorous hand ride in the stretch to prevail by 6 3/4 lengths. The final time for 5 1/2 furlongs in the mud was 1:04.70.
Bellamy Road, who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and second in the Travers (gr. I) in his only two efforts following the Wood, stood the 2010 breeding season at Pauls Mill near Versailles, Ky. for a $10,000 fee. With the victory, Position Limit became the second winner for the 8-year-old son of Concerto.