June 12, 2005
The undercard of the Belmont Stakes included five other graded stakes races, making it one of the best cards of racing so far this year. Handicap horses, sprinters, and turf specialists all got their moment in the spotlight on Saturday.
The biggest race of the day other than the Belmont Stakes was the Grade 1, $400,000 Manhattan Handicap, the 10-furlong turf undercard feature on Belmont Stakes Day. Hall of Fame jockey Jerry Bailey guided Phipps Stable's overlooked 14-1 Good Reward to a half-length victory over closing Relaxed Gesture. Bailey saved ground as he broke from post 2 to track favored Artie Schiller and longshot Quest Star in the early going. Artie Schiller, under jockey Edgar Prado, broke from post 1, sat behind a pokey first quarter of :25 set by Quest Star and created a huge hole at the hedge. Bailey kept his mount there, allowing the pace to comfortably unfold through a half in :49 4/5 and three-quarters in 1:13 3/5.
"I was just going to follow Edgar (Prado, aboard Artie Schiller) all the way," Bailey said. "It seemed like he wanted out down the backside because of what happened at Pimlico, I think. When Jon (Court, aboard Quest Star) stayed off the rail, I said, `This is almost like a Christmas present.' I got to stay slow-paced and I was able to save ground."
As the field turned for home stretch, Bailey came off the rail just a hair and let his mount loose. Good Reward, a son of Storm Cat out of the champion mare Heavenly Prize, dug in to do the rest. Winning in 2:00 3/5 on the firm going. He returned $31.80 for each $2 win ticket.
Manhattan Handicap
Brooklyn Handicap
Riva Ridge BC Stakes
Just a Game BC Stakes
True North BC Stakes
