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. Last year's winner Gio Ponti was sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the field of 8, second in the Manhattan Handicap (G1) last out and winless since last year's Arlington Million (G1). In to challenge him included 6-1 second choice Expansion, off a third in the Manhattan, and 9-1 Grand Couturier, seventh in the Manhattan last out and winless since the Bowling Green Handicap (G2) last September.
Mission Approved was uncontested on the front end some 3 1/2 lengths ahead of the field through slow fractions of 26.13, 52.27, 1:18.07, and 1:42.30 over the firm turf. Strike a Deal stalked him in second while Expansion rated in third, as Gio Ponti settled in last 7 lengths off the pace down the backstretch. Entering the stretch, Strike a Deal tired badly and faded to last, while Mission Approved took advantage of the slow early pace and opened up a 2 length lead on Expansion through 1 1/4 miles in 2:05.03. Gio Ponti came out for room at the 1/4 pole and closed with a rush down the center of the course to pass Mission Approved by a neck in the final strides in 2:16.20. I was another 1/2 length back to Expansion third.
