No Parole breezes to Woody Stephens Stakes victory
Trainer Tom Amoss’ decision to focus No Parole on sprint distances continued to pay off Saturday, as the colt went gate-to-wire to dominate the Grade 1, $250,000 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park.
The 3-year-old Violence colt started his career 3-for-3 running in his home state of Louisiana, then tried the Triple Crown trail March 14 in Oaklawn Park’s Rebel Stakes (G2). Going two turns, he ran dead last in a field of eight.
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Amoss shortened No Parole to six furlongs for his next start April 24 at Oaklawn. He responded with a big effort to top allowance optional claiming company and set up a try at a sprint stakes.
That stakes try came Saturday in the Woody Stephens, a seven-furlong trip over Belmont’s main track. He broke quickly from the No. 1 post under jockey Luis Saez, going through fractions of :22.31 and :45.01 to lead the field of five.
“You always want to slow the pace when you can, and today there was the opportunity," Saez said. "They let me and I took it.”
Meru, the 2-1 favorite, chased No Parole early on before fading. Mischevious Alex, winner of two Grade 3 races this season, moved up through the turn and got alongside the pace setter, but also couldn’t keep up.
No Parole widened his lead out to four lengths in the stretch, cruising to an easy win. He stopped the clock in 1:21.41 and returned $8.20 at 3-1 odds.
Two Steve Asmussen trainees, Echo Town and Shoplifted, came home second and third, respectively.
Maggi Moss and Greg Tramontin campaign No Parole, who improved to 6: 5-0-0 lifetime with his Woody Stephens score. The colt gave trainer Amoss his first Grade 1 score since Serengeti Empress took the 2019 Kentucky Oaks.
"No Parole is a one-turn horse for sure," Amoss said. "We'll get together with the ownership and we'll sit down and map out a plan. We're very excited about his future and we're already thinking about the first weekend in November (Breeders' Cup)."