Horse Racing
Claire Novak 10y

Tonalist takes Gold Cup

Horse Racing

Robert S. Evans' Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist returned to winning ways Sept. 27 at the site of his greatest triumph, defeating older horses in the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.

It was a first victory for the 3-year-old son of Tapit since his June 7 Belmont Stakes win for trainer Christophe Clement; he came off a third behind V. E. Day and Wicked Strong in the Aug. 23 Travers Stakes after finishing second in the July 26 Jim Dandy to Wicked Strong.

Wicked Strong caused some moments of concern in the 1-1/4-mile Jockey Club Gold Cup when he clipped heels and dropped jockey Rajiv Maragh. After an inquiry, stewards ruled that Whitney Handicap winner Moreno caused the spill by coming over to the inside and cutting off Wicked Strong's path; Moreno was disqualified from his fourth-place finish and placed last in the field of 11.

Maragh was taken to North Shore Hospital complaining of pain in his right arm.

California shipper Big Cazanova put Moreno off his front-running game when he struck out for the early lead in the 1-1/4-mile Gold Cup. Clicking through fractions of :23.60 and :47.42 seconds, the 24-1 shot opened up by about two lengths with Moreno in close pursuit. Tonalist, unhurried by jockey Joel Rosario, galloped along at the back of the pack.

The Belmont winner managed to avoid the fallen rider when the incident occured with Wicked Strong on the turn, and closed willingly after three-quarters went in 1:11.36 to set his sights on those in front turning for home.

Long River had taken the lead from Moreno through a 1:37.11 mile, but Tonalist was closing to his outside and passed him en route to a 1-3/4-length victory. Suburban Handicap winner Zivo got the runner-up spot after recovering from a hard check; jockey Jose Lezcano was forced to steady to miss Maragh after the rider fell. Long River held for third.

Wicked Strong ran on riderless in the center of the track, well clear of the other horses, and was eventually apprehended by an outrider.

The victory provided 3-1 favorite Tonalist with an automatic berth in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, along with a travel stipend and paid entry fees. He finished the 1-1/4-miles in 2:02.12.

Tonalist returned $8.10, $4.30, and $3.40 while Zivo paid $5.10 and $3.80 with Long River bringing $17.40. Prayer for Relief was a late scratch after the veteran campaigner got loose in the paddock.

Tonalist was bred by Rene and Lauren Woolcott, whose 240-acre Woodslane Farm near The Plains, Va. Originally into steeplechasing, they got involved with Thoroughbreds in 2006 and purchased Settling Mist at the 2007 Keeneland November sale through agent Patrick Lawley-Wakelin.

After breeding Settling Mist to several stallions with slants toward stamina they wanted to "inject a little speed into her," according to Lauren Wollcott. Unable to get to Speightstown in 2010, they went instead with Tapit.

Tonalist was offered for sale at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale in 2011 through the consignment Sweezey and Partners, agent, where he was an RNA. Evans purchased him later back at the barn.

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