Closing Bell Back On Turf in Muniz
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WinStar Farm’s Closing Bell has long been both a well-regarded hope for his connections and also somewhat of an underachiever. A winner at second asking, the dark bay son of Tapit – a $400,000 Keeneland September 2013 purchase – was immediately hoisted into Grade I company in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby and ran respectably when fourth, beaten 4¼ lengths.
The Bill Mott trainee then ran a smart second in the Grade I $450,000 Secretariat Stakes at Arlington, defeating Belmont Derby winner Force the Pass in the process. One race later in his lone other victory, the Kentucky-bred won the $299,000 Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs, but has lost his last three, including Grade I events on both turf and dirt.
“The horse is doing really good right now,” said Rodolphe Brisset, assistant trainer, who also gallops the colt. “We took a shot last time in the (Grade I $500,000) Donn (Handicap on the dirt) and maybe were a little aggressive with him in California. I think this is a good spot and he’s training really well. The mile and an eighth should suit him. Hopefully (jockey Jose Lezcano) can find a good spot and make a run.”
CAN’THELPBELIEVING OUT OF MUNIZ
According to trainer Graham Motion, Albert Frassetto’s Can’thelpbelieving did not ship from his Palm Meadows base in South Florida and will not run in the Grade II $300,000 Muniz Memorial Handicap on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The stakes-placed son of Duke of Marmalade exited a promising 5-year-old bow in which he finished second to next-out graded stakes winner Grand Tito.
TAKE THE STAND READY TO TESTIFY IN MUNIZ
Argentine-bred Take the Stand began his career in his native country with a series of strong races, winning four of five and losing his only race when second by a head in his first route attempt. Two starts later, at the same one-mile distance, the son of Not For Sale – owned by Earle Mack, Watchtel Stable et al. – earned his first black type when taking a Group III event.
Sold to the aforementioned American interests, the dark bay horse has made five North American starts, including a victory going 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga in September. Last out, after being let go at odds of 61-1 in the Grade III $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes, he set the pace before losing by a neck under Edgar Prado. The Bill Mott trainee heads into Saturday’s Grade II $300,000 Muniz Memorial Handicap as a horse to watch, especially considering his race-topping last-out Beyer Speed Figure of 101.
“He ran a really good race last time,” said Rodolphe Brisset, assistant trainer who also gallops the 5-year-old. “The distance step-up is not a big deal and we know there’s a rabbit in the race. We may keep our eyes on Chocolate Ride as he’s the horse to beat on paper, but the race is wide open and we’re not scared. Our horse is doing well and I’m hoping he runs as good as he is training. Edgar won’t get any advice or instructions. The horse is easy to ride. Last time he didn’t and he broke well and just would upon the lead.”
Source: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
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