Not that horse racing needed any more controversial stewards calls in 2019, but the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park on a ‘Super Saturday’ of sorts had the dander flying on track and on social media.
Vino Rosso, bred by Canadian John Gunther, won a thrilling stretch battle to the wire with the 3-year-old Code of Honor but was disqualified for drifting out and bumping his rival a couple of times in deep stretch.
You can judge for yourself with the replay below which includes the stewards head on footage.
Vino Rosso, bred in Kentucky, is a son of Curlin who won the Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Santa Anita in May and with the Breeders’ Cup going back to that track, it looks good for the strapping colt owned by St Elias Farm and Repole Stable.
Code of Honor’s trainer Shug McGaughey was not sure his colt would head west but left the door open for discussions with owner Bill Farish. McGaughey told Daily Racing Form he was not set on going to California with the colt to the track that now is quite deep and tiring having been revamped since its tumultuous winter and spring with many breakdowns.
The Breeders’ Cup Classic list of possible starters is in flux but should Code of Honor pass the race, it would be a big loss as the field is lacking in stars this year.
McKinzie, the mare Elate, Yoshida, Higher Power, Preservationist, Seeking the Soul, Tacitus and Math Wizard are listed by Daily Racing Form as the top contenders.
*Also on Saturday at Belmont, the pint-sized powerhouse IMPERIAL HINT, a son of Alberta stallion Imperialism, came back after being passed to win the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at 6 furlongs. The speedster earned a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint with his narrow win over Firenze Fire.
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