Jockey Alan Garcia, who had his option of two top Kiaran McLaughlin-trained colts in the $250,000 Futurity (gr. II) (VIDEO) at Belmont Park, made the right call when he guided favored Charitable Man to a convincing victory Sept. 13.
Charitable Man challenged the leaders while rallying four wide coming off the turn in the seven-furlong event for 2-year-olds, taking the lead from a determined Flying Pegasus mid-stretch. The son of Lemon Drop Kid tallied by one length while hand-ridden vigorously to the wire by a confident Garcia in a time of 1:24.30 over a good track. Charitable Man, after breaking his maiden by a smashing 11 1/2 lengths in his debut race at Saratoga Aug. 10, is now unbeaten in two starts.
Garcia selected Mr. and Mrs. William K. Warren's Charitable Man over stablemate Girolamo, who he also rode to a debut maiden score at the Saratoga stand. Girolamo, piloted by John Velazquez for Darley Stable, offered only a mild bid in the homestretch and finished fourth.
Garcia, who is McLaughlin's lead rider, said the trainer pointed him to Charitable Man "because the other one is going to Dubai and this one is going to stay here. (Charitable Man) wants to go longer. He’s going to the Kentucky Derby.”
Charitable Man broke on the lead from his far outside post in the field of seven, but dropped back a bit while remaining on the outside as High Mesa, on the rail set the early pace with Kensei and Flying Pegasus in close pursuit. The splits were :22.87 for the opening quarter and :46.97 for the half.
On the turn for home, the field tightened up with second choice Gone Astray looking for running room on the inside while right behind the pacesetters. Charitable Man enjoyed a clear journey, however, as he ranged up on the outside to vie with the leaders. High Mesa and Kensei dropped back in upper stretch, leaving Charitable Man and Flying Pegasus, ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, to fight it out down the lane.
Talking about his two entrants, McLaughlin noted, “We’re just very happy that one of them won, and Alan chose the right one. Girolamo ran well, too. He kind of had trouble. Charitable Man is a very nice horse with very nice owners. Hopefully, he will have a very bright future. He was a little wide the whole way, which didn’t help him."
The trainer had considered running Charitable Man in the Hopeful (gr. I) at the end of the Saratoga meeting, but opted instead to give the dark bay some additional time after his eye-catching maiden win. He said Charitable Man would be pointed to Belmont's $400,000 Champagne Stakes (gr. I) at one mile Oct. 4.
Edward P. Evans bred Charitable Man, a $200,000 Keeneland yearling sale in September 2007, in Virginia. Charitable Man is out of Charitabledonation, by Saint Ballado.
The winner earned $150,000 for the victory, paying $4.80, $3 and $2.40.
Flying Pegasus, the only multiple winner in the field, returned $10.80 and $5.40 for trainer Ralph Nicks, completing a $2 exacta worth $75.50.
It was 2 3/4 lengths to the closing Friesan Fire, ridden by Tery Thompson, $5.60 to show. Girolamo, Gone Astray, Kensei and High Mesa followed.
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