DISTANT VIEW WINNERS IN JUNE
Distant View had an excellent June, with 10 individual horses
winning 11 different races. Five of the 11 races were on the turf,
six on the dirt. Three of the races were in England, including one
at Doncaster (home of the Classic St. Leger and prestigious Racing
Post Trophy), and eight in the USA at such tracks as Arlington
Park, Belmont Park, and Hollywood Park.
Explicit, a five-year-old horse out of Elegant Victress by Sir
Ivor, continued his winning ways with a convincing victory in the
Gr.2 True North Handicap at Belmont Park. Trainer Ian Jory said
after that race, “He’s turned into a tough horse. [Jockey Lonnie]
Meche said he had a ton of horse. He’s a five-year-old that’s
peaking. He’s definitely a better horse this year than he was last
year. I was wondering if they were going too quick, but obviously
they weren’t. Once he gets the lead, he doesn’t want anyone to pass
him. We’re going to give him a break and bring him back in the
Forego (Gr.1 at Saratoga on September 1) with the Breeders’ Cup
Sprint the main goal.” Explicit is owned by the Malmuths and
trained by Ian Jory.
Derwent, a three-year-old colt out of Nothing Sweeter by Darby
Creek Road, won a maiden race at Doncaster. The comments from the
Racing Post read, “Stayed on well in the final furlong.” Derwent is
owned by M. J. Dawson and trained by J. D. Bethell.
Distant Daughter, a four-year-old filly out of Avie’s Jill by
Lord Avie, won a 6.5-furlong allowance race on the dirt at Charles
Town Racetrack. The comments read, “Took the lead at the sixteenth
pole and drove clear.” She now has two allowance victories to her
credit, both on dirt. Distant Daughter is owned by Richard Torrone
and trained by Donald Barr.
Lemon Haze, a three-year-old filly out of Raise a Dynasty by
Raise a Native, won a 6.5-furlong allowance race at Arlington Park.
The comments read, “Opened a lead in the stretch and was not
menaced late.” She also has two allowance victories to her credit,
both on the dirt. Lemon Haze won her maiden race at Arlington at
two and won another allowance at the Fair Grounds. Lemon Haze has
competed successful against such fillies as Chamrousse (multiple
GSP including the Gr.1 Mother Goose Stakes and the Gr.2 Fantasy
Stakes). Her trainer Gene Cilio believes, “She’ll beat one of those
good horses one of these times.” Lemon Haze is owned by Mount Joy
Stables.
Sky Hunter, a five-year-old horse out of Heavenly Launch by
Relaunch won a six-furlong allowance on the turf at Woodbine Race
Course. The comments read, “Broke sharply and vied for the early
lead and opened a short lead in the drive.” In his next start, he
finished a respectable five lengths behind Nuclear Debate in the
Gr.2 Nearctic Handicap at Woodbine. Sky Hunter is owned by multiple
Eclipse Award winner Stronach Stables and trained by Malcolm
Pierce.
View From the Top, a three-year-old filly out of Talega by
Devil’s Bag, won a maiden race at Hollywood Park in her second
start. It was her first start on turf, and she won the 8.5-furlong
maiden by a convincing 2.5 lengths. The comments read, “Took
command in the stretch and kicked clear.” View From the Top is
owned by Hancock and Kinerk and trained by David
Hofmans.
Date:
09 July 2002