Main Sequence Extends Streak in Hirsch Turf Classic

Main Sequence continued his penchant for winning races in dramatic fashion, rallying from midpack and overcoming both an inquiry and objection to capture the Grade 1, $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic by a neck on TVG Super Saturday at Belmont Park.

It was the third consecutive victory since coming to the United States from England for Main Sequence, all in Grade 1 company. None of those wins have come by more than a head.

“It’s never easy, is it?” winning trainer H. Graham Motion said. “What a cool horse. Ironically, I thought he ran his most professional race today, and then you had the bump right before the wire.”

Owned by Flaxman Stable, Main Sequence took the lead from a game Twilight Eclipse with a sixteenth of a mile to run and came in on his rival one jump from the wire, causing runner-up jockey Jose Lezcano to claim foul for interference.

“I was kind of sick, to be honest [during the inquiry],” Motion said. “I thought it would have been a little bit cruel to take it away, but he definitely bumped the other horse. I feel bad for West Point [Thoroughbreds, owner of Twilight Eclipse]. I train for them, and that horse has run three big races and he’s come out on the wrong end of them.”

Winner of the Grade 1 United Nations in July at Monmouth Park and the Grade 1 Sword Dancer in August at Saratoga Race Course, Main Sequence paid $5.90 for a $2 win bet as the 9-5 second choice in a field of seven that included the favored entry of Big Blue Kitten and Real Solution, who ran fourth and sixth, respectively.

Twilight Eclipse held on for second, a length in front of Imagining. Big Blue Kitten, Hangover Kid, Real Solution and Medal Count completed the order of finish.

The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” race in the Turf division. Main Sequence, who ran 1 ½ miles in 2:26.32, already earned a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup with his United Nations triumph.

As has been his norm since crossing the Atlantic, Main Sequence broke awkwardly at the start before settling into fifth not far from the pacesetter Imagining, who led the field through a quarter-mile in 26.53 seconds, a half in 50.89 and three-quarters in 1:15.49.

Imagining was still in front after 1 ¼ miles and took a one-length lead into the stretch while jockey Rajiv Maragh and Main Sequence made a three-wide move to gain contention as Twilight Eclipse continued to gain ground on the inside.

“When he made the lead, it was a little sooner than we wanted,” Maragh said. “He started loafing a little bit. I tried to make him see the other horse, and a little contact happened. I felt like I was going to be OK on the inquiry, but it was nerve-wracking.”

Main Sequence improved his lifetime record to 7-3-3 from 17 starts with $1,648,386 in purses, including the $360,000 he earned in the Joe Hirsch.

Twilight Eclipse was second by a neck in the United Nations and third in the Sword Dancer, beaten three-quarters of a length. He figures to meet up with Main Sequence again in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita.

“He ran well,” trainer Tom Albertrani said. “Hopefully, we’ll get him in California, right?”

Source: NYRA