Last Saturday, the New York Racing Association hit a home run with it’s new Belmont Stakes Day lineup (customer service issues aside). While California Chrome failed to give the fans what they most wanted, the five other Grade 1 races on the card showcased some of the very best runners in North America, including last year’s Belmont Stakes (G1) hero Palace Malice.
The Dogwood Stables runner continued his impressive 2014 campaign, overcoming high weight and a worrisome inside post to win the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) over last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) winner Goldencents. For many years the ‘Met Mile’ anchored the Memorial Day program in New York but was moved and enriched to $1.25 million this year at the behest of new Senior VP of Racing Martin Panza.
Not surprisingly, it’s been the rare thoroughbred who can win a mile and one half Spring Classic and this country’s most historic one mile fixture. The last to do it was 1982 Horse of the Year Conquistador Cielo who took the Met Mile and the Belmont Stakes within five days for the incomparable trainer Woody Stephens. Prior to that it was some of the greats of the ‘50’s and ‘60’s who pulled off the double – Gallant Man (1957 Belmont, 1958 Met Mile), Sword Dancer (both races in 1959) and Arts and Letters (both races in 1969). All three of those greats are enshrined in the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs.
With four graded stakes wins already this season, Palace Malice is the frontrunner to at least join Conquistador Cielo in the Horse of the Year ranks. He’s also won the one mile Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2), the nine furlong New Orlean’s Handicap (G2) and the one mile Westchester Stakes (G3) in a virtual walkover with just three outmanned rivals left in his wake. And you can bet the major Kentucky stallion farms are lining up to launch the bay colt’s second career next breeding season
Palace Malice is a member of the first crop sired by 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin, a son of Smart Strike. As Curlin’s only graded stakes winner so far, he’s almost single-handedly kept his sire on the map. This year should be telling for Curlin though, as he does have a pair of Grade 1-placed three-year-olds in his second crop, including Preakness Stakes (G1) runnerup Ride on Curlin. Palace Malice is out of a mare by the Nureyev grandson Royal Anthem and he’s among the very good runners bred on the Smart Strike/Nureyev cross. This group includes 2014 Grade 2 winner Utley and dual champion English Channel.
The prestigious Whitney Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Racecourse on August 2 is the next logical spot for Palace Malice and trainer Todd Pletcher has already indicated that should be his star colt’s next start. Another stylish score there will keep him in the catbird’s seat for year-end honors and, if he keeps on winning after that, there may well be a plaque with his name on it across Union Avenue in the Hall of Fame later on.
(originally published on http://www.myfantasystable.com)
Matt O'Neil Consulting 