Measured Time was handed the Breeders’ Cup goal by Charlie Appleby, who led the Moulton Paddocks 1-2 home in the Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga.
The $1 million Grade 1 contest was one of the key opening events of American Belmont Stakes day and marked the Jebel Hatta winner’s first appearance since finishing fourth in the Dubai Turf at Meydan in the spring.
It was an unlucky run at the meeting for Appleby, who started his satellite business in the US and saddled six previous runners with no joy during the Belmont Stakes Festival.
After seeing Mysterious Night and Star Of Mystery both reach the frame earlier in the day, with a measured time back in top form in the hands of William Buick, Appleby finally got on the scoreboard in the race before the Triple Crown feature.
The son of Frankel will now train for the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar later in the season. Here he will be tasked with improving on the handler’s recent good record in the Turf, including the 2022 win by his half-brother Rebel’s Romance.
“We’ve been planning this race for a while because we thought the American track would be suitable for the time measured,” Appleby said. www.godolphin.com.
“We saw what he did in Dubai and he is a horse with big strides so a great level track suited him.
“We let him continue today to try to run his own runs rather than entangle him. When you try to organize a horse like that he finds it difficult and is happy to carry on.
“We were confident going into today’s trip (nine-and-a-half furlongs) and he could stretch to a mile and a half. We will consider the Breeders’ Cup (on turf).”
Nations Pride, the 2022 Saratoga Derby winner with stablemate Frankie Dettori, finished second and earned additional U.S. duties.
Appleby added: “I thought Nation Pride would come in with a good performance, and the only thing he does is finish strong. I’m really excited to see him be competitive and able to go to Kentucky for the summer.”
