Bigger Picture and Joe Bravo surprise in the United Nations
At Monmouth Park the racing fans call him ‘Jersey’ Joe Bravo, but after today’s victory Bravo has earned another nickname, ‘Ambassador to the United Nations’. With a savvy ground saving ride on 10-1 Bigger Picture, Bravo won the $300,000 United Nations (G1) for the fourth time.
Bravo has now won four of the last six runnings of the United Nations. His previous victories came in 2012 on Turbo Compressor and twice with Big Blue Kitten in 2013 and 2015.
Looking at the field of nine for this year’s race, it appeared that there was very little early speed amongst the group. When the gates sprung open in the mile and three-eighths turf stake that goes around three turns, it was a bit of a surprise when the two favorites, Beach Patrol (7-5) and Itsinthepost (5-2) both made strong moves for the lead. This would be the story of the race as neither of the two backed off of the early pace. Beach Patrol was on the rail and the California invader was right with him as they set fast fractions of 23.31, 46.97, and 1:11.03.
The leaders were setting things up perfectly for Bravo and Bigger Picture, who were content to sit in eighth position, up to 11 lengths behind in the early going. After the mile went in a blistering 1:34.75, they were in seventh place looking for running room on the inside still over four lengths behind.
Straightening out for the run to the wire, Bravo was in very tight quarters, but as the temporary rail, that blocks the chute on the turf course, came to an end there was suddenly plenty of room and Jersey Joe drove towards the hedge and burst through passing the tiring pace setters.
Can’thelpbelieving (11-1), who had raced closer to the early pace than Bigger Picture, was also making a strong move down the stretch, but his was between horses. This Graham Motion trainee got the lead briefly, but the photo finish camera showed that Bravo and Bigger Picture had prevailed by a head.
“He was running a nice pace early, but I looked up and they [Beach Patrol and Itsinthepost] were smoking,” said Bravo. “I just didn’t want to get in those horses’ way. He knows how to run. Wow, he turned for home and got up underneath me so beautiful. The race fell right in our lap. The photo had me a little worried there. Did we get there or not?”
Ultimately, the fast pace of the race helped to produce a new track record of 2:10.81 for the 11 furlongs.
Bigger Picture, a six-year-old son of Badge of Silver trained by Michael Maker, got his first grade one victory and upped his career record to 25: 10-4-2 with earnings of $851,135.
The Monmouth Park toteboard lit up with Bigger Picture returning $23.40, 11.60, and 5.60 across the board. The $2 exacta with Can’thelpbelieving paid $238.60 and with the favorite Beach Patrol in third, the $2 trifecta flashed a payout of $790.20.