Jul 13, 2012
Mucho Macho Man is just that in winning Suburban
By: SPORTS NETWORK
Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Mucho Macho Man, ridden by Mike Smith, took the lead at the top of the stretch and could not be caught in winning Saturday's $350,000 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. It marked the third win of the race for Hall of Fame rider Smith.
Sent off at 5-1 in a competitive seven horse field, Mucho Macho Man pressed the pace that was being set by Trickmeister and jockey Ramon Dominguez. Racing in third was Endorsement with 7-5 favorite To Honor and Serve just a few lengths back in the early going.
Trickmeister still had the lead on the final turn with Mucho Macho Man easily moving along side and To Honor and Serve gaining ground on the outside into third. Mucho Macho Man took over the lead as the field entered the stretch.
Mounting a rally from the back of the field was Hymn Book, winner of this year's Donn Handicap. However, Hymn Book simply did not have enough of a rally to catch Mucho Macho Man in the 1 1/8 mile Suburban.
Trained by Kathy Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man defeated Hymn Book by 2 1/2 lengths and set a new stakes record of 1:46.58 in doing so.
Trickmeister held on for third followed by To Honor and Serve, Stay Thirsty, Buffum and Endorsement. Caixa Eletronica, who was coupled with Stay Thirsty, was scratched.
Mucho Macho Man, owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, padded his bankroll with Saturday's victory by $210,000. The four-year-old colt recorded his sixth career win in 16 starts for earnings of $1.3 million.
Mike Smith previously rode to victory in the Suburban with Wekiva Springs (1996) and Devil His Due (1994) when the race was at 1 1/4 miles.
Mucho Macho Man was coming off a third-place finish in the Alysheba at Churchill Downs on May 4. He began the year with consecutive wins in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 28 and Gulfstream Park Handicap on March 10.
Mucho Macho Man returned $13.60, $5.40 and $4.10. Hymn Book paid $5.20 and $3.90, and Trickmeister paid $6.20 to show.
<< Back To Newsletter
|