A Lot Outlasts Favorite Green Mask in Elusive Quality
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Photo:
Chelsea Durand/NYRA
Making his first start for trainer Chad Brown, Amerman Racing LLC's A Lot was not to be deterred, outlasting 6-5 post time favorite Green Mask to win the $100,000 Elusive Quality for 4-year-olds and up Saturday afternoon at Belmont Park and breaking the course record for seven furlongs in the process.
Sent off as the 9-2 second choice, A Lot was content to sit in seventh position behind a hot pace set by Big Guy Ian, who led the field of nine through an opening quarter-mile in 21.59 seconds and a half in 43.68. Under Irad Ortiz, Jr., A Lot was swung out five-wide at the quarter-pole and given his cue at the top of the stretch, reeling in Mosler - who was in front at eighth-pole - and holding off a furious late bid from Green Mask to secure the victory by a nose.
A Lot completed the seven furlongs in 1:19.23, breaking a day-old Widener turf course record 1:19.47.
"The course is very firm, obviously, and luckily he appreciated its firmness," said Cherie DeVaux, assistant to Brown. "He's shown an affinity to excel at shorter distances, as well. He came to us in very good shape. We just tried to continue on with where he was when he got to us."
Returning $11.80 for a $2 win wager, the victory boosted A Lot's career earnings to $356,240 while picking up his second career stakes win and also his first victory of the year and fourth from 13 lifetime starts.
"It's a nice horse and we all know he has a good trainer," said Ortiz. "The track was fast and that helped a little bit. He was ready. When I asked, he took off. I didn't see a lot of changes. He's always run great."
Following three lengths behind Green Mask was Mosler, a half-length ahead of King Kreesa.
Kharafa, Sandy'z Slew, Bye Bye Bernie, Spartiatis, and Big Guy Ian completed the order of finish. Ready for Rye, Stallwalkin' Dude, and Aztec Brave were scratched from the race.
Source: NYRA Communications (Najja Thompson)
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