Haynesfield takes Jockey Club Gold Cup

By: SPORTS NETWORK

 

Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Front-running Haynesfield led the entire way in winning Saturday's $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. The four- year-old colt defeated 4-5 favorite Blame in the six-horse field.

Ridden by Ramon Dominguez, Haynesfield took the lead coming out of the gate and set the pace the entire way in the 1 1/4-mile race. Rail Trip, the 7-2 third choice, was running second with Hold Me Back third and Blame in fourth.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Haynesfield never let any of the other horses get within shouting distance and was able to post a four-length victory over Blame and jockey Garrett Gomez. It's the first Gold Cup win for Dominguez.

Belmont and Travers runner-up Fly Down finished third followed by Hold Me Back, Rail Trip and Tranquil Manner. Dry Martini and Mythical Power were both scratched.

The time for the Gold Cup was 2:02.48 on a fast track.

Haynesfield, owned by Turtle Bird Stable, notched his ninth career win in 13 starts and added $450,000 to his bankroll. The chestnut colt has lifetime earnings of more than $1.1 million.

The four-year-old this year won the Suburban Handicap in his second 2010 start, but was beaten by Blame in the Whitney Handicap by more than 11 lengths.

"That was a disappointment because of the gate fiasco," said Toby Sheets, assistant to Asmussen, about the Whitney. "He didn't get a fair shot because of that."

Asmussen won the Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2007 and 2008 with two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

"It was a tall task and I'm very proud of the race that he ran," said Asmussen. "(The Breeders' Cup Classic) is absolutely under consideration but we'll have to wait and see how he goes back to the track. I think it's a huge accomplishment for him today and it's his first Grade 1 so you can't sell him short on that."

Haynesfield returned $17.00, $5.10 and $3.00. Blame paid $2.50 and $2.10, and Fly Down paid $2.20 to show.