Horse Betting World

Gio Ponti Back on Track With Man O’ War Victory

By Michael Dempsey

Gio Ponti ended a five race losing streak and showed he still belongs on the top of the Turf division with a smart looking win on Saturday in the $600,000 Man O’ War (G1) at Belmont Park.

Last year’s Eclipse Award winner for top older male and top turf male had not seen the inside of a winners circle since taking the Arlington Million (G1) last August at Arlington Park, which was his fourth consecutive Grade 1 win.

Things were not setting up well for him on Saturday, as pacesetter Mission Approved was able to set dawdling early fractions of 26.13 and 52.27 while jockey Ramon Dominguez was content to trail the field in the early going.

The five-year-old starting moving up on the far turn, came four wide into the stretch, had to wait for some running room to open up, and rallied strongly to get by the pacesetter in deep stretch, prevailing by a neck over the 53/1 longshot.

It was a well timed ride by Dominguez, who has been onboard the champion for each of his last eight starts.

“As the race unfolded, I was a little concerned about the slow pace.” Dominguez said after the race. “But I was very happy with the way he was traveling. Turning for home, I felt it was a matter of getting a little racing luck. When he split horses, at that point, I felt a little more confident, and that he would get there.” Saratoga Online Horse Betting

The winner stopped the timer in 2:16.20 for the 1 3/8 miles, and paid $2.80 to his backers.

Mission Approved completed a $66.50 exacta.

It was the tenth career victory for the son of Tale of the Cat, who went over $4 million in career earnings with the win.

Next up for the five-year-old likely will be a defense of his title in the Arlington Million on Aug. 21, or Clement said they would also look at the Pacific Classic (G1) on Aug. 28. Saratoga Race Track

Gio Ponti competed in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) last year over the synthetic surface at Santa Anita, but with this year’s Breeders’ Cup being held at Churchill Downs, it seems likely he will stick to turf races and compete in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

On Tap: There is plenty of stakes action coming up this weekend, including Arlington Million Preview Day, which features the American Derby (G2), Arlington Handicap (G3), and the Modesty Handicap (G3).

The American Derby, for three-year-olds at a mile and a quarter on the turf, is a prep race for the Secretariat (G1) while the Arlington Handicap for older horses at a mile and a quarter on the turf is the final local prep for the Arlington Million (G1).

The Modesty Handicap, at a mile and three-sixteenths on turf, is the last local prep for the Beverly D. Stakes (G1).

Arlington Million Day is Aug. 21.

It is the biggest day of the summer meeting at Colonial Downs on Saturday, featuring the Virginia Derby (G2) and Virginia Oaks (G3).

The Delaware Handicap (G2) and Robert G. Dick Memorial S. (G3) are carded at Delaware Park, and Hollywood Park offers up the Swaps Stakes (G2) and the A Gleam Handicap (G2).

The feature at Belmont Park on Saturday is the Jaipur Stakes (G3).

Look for Michael Dempsey’s video analysis of Saturday’s stakes action on Friday afternoon right here at Saratoga Race.