Can'thelpbelieving closes with a rush to capture Cliff Hanger

Albert Frassetto’s Can’thelpbelieving sat in the middle of the pack behind the early pace of Il Segreto before moving to the outside and finishing with a rush to score the 2 ¾ length win in the Grade 3, $100,000 Cliff Hanger Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Can’thelpbelieving covered the mile and an eighth over the firm turf course in 1:46.77 and paid $5.80, $3.20 and $2.40. Hothersal finished well up the rail to complete the $21.60 exacta and paid $3.60 and $2.80. It was another length and a quarter back to the pacesetter Il Segreto, who paid $2.60 for show.

“He broke well and I just sat on him to let him get comfortable,” said winning rider Trevor McCarthy. “Sitting back gave us plenty of options and when it was time to go I swung him out and he was much the best today.”

The 5-year-old gelding by Duke of Marmalade out of the Soviet Star mare Embark grabbed his first career stakes win and boosted his career record to 4-5-3 in 18 lifetime starts, good for earnings of $309,907.

“They weren’t going as quick as I thought they would be, but Trevor gave him a good ride and he was in a great position coming for home,” said winning trainer H. Graham Motion. “I think the mile and an eighth is a good distance for him. I really haven’t thought past this race on where he may go next.”