Dr Post rallies to win the G3 Westchester in '21 debut
Elmont, N.Y.
Dr Post, unraced since last summer's Jim Dandy (G2), rallied late to win the Grade 3, $200,000 Westchester Stakes in his 2021 debut for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner St. Elias Stable. The 4-year-old son of Quality Road was prominent on the Kentucky Derby trail last year, running second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and third in the Haskell (G1).
Sent off as the 7-5 favorite in a field of six, Dr Post sat a stalking trip behind the millionaire New York-bred Mr. Buff who was seeking the first graded stakes win of his career. The pace was solid with the first six-furlongs going in 1:11.62 and when jockey Manny Franco asked the favorite to move, he went right by Mr. Buff to take control of the race. Dr Post drew off to win by two-lengths as Mr. Buff finished third after also getting passed by Wicked Trick. The final time for the one-turn mile was 1:35.14
The Westchester traditionally serves as Belmont Park’s prep race for the Met Mile (G1), which will be run on the Belmont Stakes undercard on June 5.
“The fractions helped. Mr. Buff slowed down a little bit and I was right there," Franco explained. “I didn’t have to rush my horse off his feet. He just took me around the right way. I think that helped me get the victory.”
The Met Mile, which will be run on the Belmont Stakes undercard on June 5, may be the next start for Dr Post since the Westchester traditionally serves as a prep race for that $1 million Grade 1.
Dr Post paid $4.80 for the first graded stakes victory of his career as he improved his career record to 7: 3-1-1.
The Westchester was the first graded stakes race to be run in front of spectators at a NYRA track in more than a year.
“Welcoming racing fans back to Belmont Park today is yet another example of how New York State is safely turning the page on the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “We are thrilled that our fans are back, and we’re looking forward to a fantastic summer of racing in New York.”