Connect's 4-year-old campaign could include Pegasus World Cup

Paul Pompa Jr.'s Connect exited his gutsy victory in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct Racetrack in good shape, trainer Chad Brown reported from his Belmont Park base Sunday morning.

Brown said Connect, who picked up his second graded stakes win of the year by a hard-fought head over Divining Rod, will head to his trainer's winter base at Palm Meadows Training Center next week, where his connections will plan out the Curlin colt's 4-year-old campaign, which could include a bid in the inaugural running of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup on January 28 at Gulfstream Park.

"I'm going to let him hang out here for a little bit and recover from that race, then take him down to Palm Meadows," said Brown. "Obviously, we're going to take a look at this Pegasus Cup but there's no firm plans to participate at this point. I'll get him to Florida, see how he's training, and speak to Paul Pompa about it as the month of December goes on."

Brown noted that the rest of his Cigar Mile Day contingent also returned well from their respective stakes assignments at Aqueduct Racetrack.

"So far, knock on wood, everyone has looked good this morning," Brown said.

Grade 3 Comely runner-up Lewis Bay, owned by Alpha Delta Stables, will get a break this winter following seven starts during her sophomore season, said Brown, which included victories in the Grade 2 Gazelle in April and Grade 3 Turnback the Alarm Handicap on October 29.

"She ran a really good race and she came out of it fine," he said. "It was disappointing that she gave it up late when she looked like a clear winner but that's what happened. She's had a long year. We'll give her a break now and point to next year."

Brown added that Woodford Racing's You're to Blame is possible to remain in New York through the winter following his fifth-place finish in his stakes debut in the Grade 2 Remsen and return next year for his 3-year-old campaign.

"No real excuse [in the Remsen]," Brown said. "It was the first time he had some kickback and he kind of ran even. It looked like he was retreating at the three-eighths pole, then there he was at the wire and he got up for fifth. He just kind of ran in spots. He's still a bit of a work in progress, but I do think that this horse has some talent. I'll let him catch his breath some after this race; he's done racing this year. Early next year, we'll get him going again and, hopefully with some experience, he'll improve.

"I'm thinking [he'll stay in] New York but nothing is firm at this point," he added. "I'll speak to the ownership group, but he strikes me as a horse that could benefit from staying here over the winter."

Source: NYRA Communications