Kentucky Derby 2023: Versatile Mage can do some Derby magic
Read this articleThe $500,000 United Nations H. Draws International Field of Ten
A field of ten long distance turf horses has been assembled to compete in Sundays $500,000 United Nations Handicap at Monmouth Park. The Grade 1 event will be run at a mile and three-eighths.
Carrying high weight of 123 pounds is Lochte, 10-1 on the ML for trainer Marcus Vitali. Ridden by regular jockey Orlando Bocachica and carrying the colors of Crossed Sabres Farm, the four-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro is trying to rebound off of a thirteenth-place finish in the Monmouth Stakes in June. He pulled off the upset victory in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap in February, earning a first Grade 1 win for himself along with his jockey and trainer.
Twilight Eclipse in search of a Grade 1 victory
Installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite is Twilight Eclipse, a multiple stakes winner attempting to earn his first Grade 1 victory. Trained by Tom Albertrani and ridden by Jose Lezcano for West Point Thoroughbreds, the five-year-old gelding is a six time winner and has one win from three starts this year. He was last seen finishing fourth in the Belmont Gold Cup, a two-mile contest, and will cut back in distance for the United Nations.
Chad Brown and Gary Stevens have a star on the rise
Also in the field is Ghurair, a new face in the turf division for trainer Chad Brown. Tabbed as the second choice at 3-1, the four-year-old son of Elusive Quality will be ridden by Gary Stevens for the second time after the pair defeated allowance/optional claiming company in his second North American start. Two of his three career victories came in Great Britain where he began his career as a juvenile.
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