Main Sequence Makes Splash in U.S. Debut
Last weekend’s Grade I United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park saw a promising Stateside debut for recent English import Main Sequence. Owned by the Niarchos Family’s Flaxman Holdings, the homebred son of Aldebaran was also making his first start for trainer Graham Motion after previously residing at the Kingsdown yard of David Lanigan. The highlights of his Lanigan tenure include an excellent second in the 2012 Group I English Derby behind Camelot and a runner-up finish in the Group II Great Voltigeur Stakes at York that year, defeating subsequent Group I St. Leger victor Encke and 2014 Group I Tattersalls Gold Cup conqueror – and Frankel’s little brother – Noble Mission.
On Sunday, it was Main Sequence’s day to take a win at the top level. Despite a wide trip under Rajiv Maragh, the chestnut mowed down Twilight Eclipse and globetrotting English invader Side Glance to win the race in the final strides. The next stop is not certain for the charge, but if he is aimed at the Grade I Arlington Million, it will make for a potent one-two punch from the Niarchos family, which already has Smoking Sun eying the race from France for trainer Pascal Bary.
The aforementioned Side Glance – a very good third in last year’s Million, as well – is very much possible for a return to Chicagoland. A Group I winner whose best distance is somewhere between nine and 10 furlongs, he may have been a step beyond his best trip at Monmouth. Additionally, he seemed very fresh and displayed such by uncharacteristically setting the pace under Jamie Spencer. Despite that, the race could go a long way in sharpening him for another go at Arlington for owner Pearl Bloodstock and trainer Andrew Balding.
Overseas, Shadwell’s Mukhadram finally broke through at the top level with a dynamite performance in the Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Too often a bridesmaid, including runner-up finishes in last year’s Eclipse Group I Prince of Wales’s Stakes and this year’s Grade I Dubai World Cup, the son of Shamardal ran away from Group I Irish Derby winner and recent Godolphin acquisition Trading Leather. Though it is assumed Mukhadram will head directly to York for the Juddmonte International Stakes, one should not count out the Jim Bolger-trained runner-up, especially considering Godolphin’s penchant for international glory.
The next three weekends each include a key race to watch. Saturday at Arlington, last year’s Grade I Secretariat winner Admiral Kitten aims to return to his former glory over the course and 1¼-miles distance of both his aforementioned victory and the Arlington Million. The Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey homebred is hoping to garner an entry into the Million with a quality showing, but will have to go through Diamond M. Stable’s War Dancer, who is coming into fine form for trainer Kenny McPeek, as well as Team Valor’s Infinite Magic, winner of last year’s Grade III American Derby for Rick Mettee.
Two other races to watch are the Grade I Eddie Read Stakes at Del Mar on July 20 and the Group II York Stakes in England on July 26. While it has been since Tight Spot in 1991 that a horse has landed the Eddie Read/Million double, the York Stakes as recently as last year produced the horse to cross the finish line first (and later be disqualified), The Apache, as well as the beaten morning line Million favorite, Grandeur.