Tonalist defeats older horses in Jockey Club Gold Cup

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist, ridden by Joel Rosario, came from far back to capture Saturday's $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park.

Trained by Christophe Clement for Robert S. Evans, Tonalist defeated older horses in his initial race against them and put himself in this year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

The 3-year-old colt, sent off as the 3-1 co-favorite with Wicked Strong in the 11-horse field, came from 10th in the 1 1/4-mile stakes to register a 1 3/4- length victory over 4-1 third pick Zivo.

"He relaxed very nicely," Rosario said. "I was probably a little far back but I wasn't worried about it. I didn't want to make him do something he didn't want to do. I could see turning for home they were coming back to me and he found a way through. I'm happy we got the money. He's a one-paced horse, and when he starts going, he goes forever. I was really happy with the trip."

Longshot Long River. 50-1, held on for third followed under the wire by Moreno, Stephanoatsee, V. E. Day, Last Gunfighter, Big Cazanova and Speak Logistics. Micromanage was eased.

Wicked Strong clipped heals and unseated jockey Rajiv Maragh. Track stewards disqualified Whitney winner Moreno from fourth to last for causing Wicked Strong's problems. Maragh was taken to a nearby hospital. Prayer for Relief was a late scratch with an injury.

Tonalist covered the 1 1/4 miles on a fast track in 2:02.12.

Tonalist has now won half of his eight career starts while adding $600,000 to his bankroll. The colt has earned $1,802,000 with all three stakes wins coming at Belmont Park.

The colt won the Peter Pan Stakes on May 10 four weeks prior to taking the "Test of the Champion." He was 5-2 for the Travers on Aug. 23 at Saratoga but finished third behind V. E. Day and Wicked Strong.

"He, obviously, was a bit too aggressive in the Travers. Even so, he didn't quit. I love the way that even when he got beat in the Travers he went on to the wire," Clement noted.

Tonalist returned $8.10, $4.30 and $3.40. Zivo paid $5.10 and $3.80, and Long River paid $17.40 to show.