The $600,000 Man o'War Stakes (G1) at 1 3/8 miles on the Inner Turf Course at Belmont Park is one of the most important turf races on the New York stakes calendar, and is a major prep for the Arlington Million, Sword Dancer, and ultimately the Breeders' Cup Turf. The 6,619 fans in attendance enjoyed sunny skies and temperatures approaching 90 degrees. Two-time winner Gio Ponti was sent off as the 11-10 favorite in the field of 6 off a third place finish in the Manhattan Handicap (G1) last out. In to challenge him include European shipper Cape Blanco at 3-1, off a 6th place finish in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and winless since last year's Irish Champion Stakes, and 9-2 third choice Mission Approved, winner of the Manhattan last out.
Mission Approved went to the lead immmediately and set a slow pace of 23.59, 50.31, 1:15.45, and 1:39.34 while as many as 1 1/2 lengths in front of Cape Blanco stalking him in second. Favorite Gio Ponto sat last 6 lengths off the pace down the backstretch. On the turn, Cape Blanco moved up to challenge for the lead but Mission Approved stubbornly held the lead into midstretch through 1 1/4 miles in 2:02.29. Mission Approved tired in the final furlong allowing Cape Blanco to inherit the lead. Gio Ponti came out for room and closed down the center of the course but was left with too much ground to make up, as Cape Blanco cruised under the line 2 1/4 lengths in front in 2:14.06 over good turf. It was another length back to Boisterous third.
