Disco Partner not only answered the question of whether he could handle added distance in the $150,000 Forbidden Apple Stakes, he did so in a manner that made the query look foolish. Video: Forbidden Apple S.
The 5-year-old son of Disco Rico earned his first win beyond seven furlongs when he tipped out three-wide on the turf as he entered the lane and set himself on cruise control under Irad Ortiz Jr. en route to a 3 1/4-length victory over Get Jets in the one-mile Forbidden Apple at Belmont Park July 15.
What was not up for debate was the fact that Disco Partner was heading into the Forbidden Apple as good as he has been during his 18-race career. In his previous start June 10, the Christophe Clement trainee galloped to his first graded stakes win when he captured the six-furlong Jaipur Invitational Stakes (G3T) in a world record 1:05.67 over firm Belmont turf course.
The eight furlongs Patricia Generazio's homebred traveled Saturday only served to allow the 7-5 favorite more time to tout himself, as he kicked on handily past King Kreesa in the stretch for his largest margin of victory in eight wins.
"I think he's a very nice horse. He trained great, he gets on very well with Irad, and—I just think six (furlongs), seven-eighths to a mile, he can do whatever he wants," Clement said. "We'll have to think about putting together a nice summer campaign. I think he's top class. He's not Breeders' Cup eligible, so I'll have to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Generazio, and we'll try to map out the next two to three starts for him between now and the end of the year, and try to do the best we can."
Disco Partner was patiently handled out of post 5 in the seven-horse field, as he tucked in after briefly challenging King Kreesa for the early lead, and rated a ground-saving fourth with grade 1 winner Grand Arch to his outside.
King Kreesa and Cerise's Prince dueled through fractions of :23.91, :46.84, and 1:10.10 before their advantage over their rivals began to shrink on the far turn. When Ortiz asked Disco Partner to swing out and go on, there was more than enough of a response. The duo continued on well to the wire in 1:33.49 over a course rated firm.
Get Jets was a neck in front of Bondurant at the wire for place honors, with King Kreesa a fading fourth. Offering Plan, Cerise's Prince, and Grand Arch—who made his first start since October—rounded out the order of finish.
Disco Partner paid $4.80, $3.20, and $2.60 across the board and improved his earnings to $708,810. He is out of the winning Numerous mare Lulu's Number, who was also owned and bred by Generazio.
