Main Sequence Breaks Drought In United Nations

Racing

Main Sequence broke a two-year win drought in the United Nations. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)

Making his U.S. debut, Main Sequence made quite a splash when he won the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at odds of 8-to-1, getting his first win since May of 2012.

Frequent European invader Side Glance set the early pace in the 1 3/8-mile race while Main Sequence settled in the back of the field.

Not much changed as the field made their first circuit around the track with Side Glance loping along on the lead with his ears pricked, followed by the rest of the field. But as the pack approached the final turn of the three-turn race, Main Sequence slowly moved up to get closer to the leader. Main Sequence steadily moved up before a massive burst of speed in mid-stretch had him passing half the field to grab the lead. Twilight Eclipse was second by a neck, with Side Glance winning a three-way photo for third over Winning Cause and Kaigun.

“When I called on him, he really showed a powerful turn of foot and he didn’t quit all the way to the wire,” said jockey Rajiv Maragh.

Main Sequence was making his first start since finishing eighth in the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes last year for previous trainer David Lanigan. The 5-year-old gelding last saw the winner’s circle in May of 2012 when he won the Group 3 Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield, but since that time he has been a useful horse for owner-breeder Flaxman Holdings by hitting the board in six of 10 starts, including a second in the 2012 Epsom Derby.

Main Sequence was transferred to trainer Graham Motion for an American campaign over the winter and was making his first start on this side of the Atlantic in the United Nations.

MAIN SEQUENCE IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE AFTER THE UNITED NATIONS


Photo by Eclipse Sportswire

“To be honest [debuting in the United Nations] wasn’t my original plan,” Motion said. “He got quite sick over the winter when he shipped over to this country so we took our time and were very patient with him. He’s a bit of a quirky horse in the morning so I wanted to be sure he was ready to run when we got him here and he was, this ended up being a great spot.”

In addition to taking home the winner’s share of the $500,000 United Nations purse from Monmouth Park, Main Sequence also earned a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf due to the United Nations being a “Win and You’re In” race for the Breeders’ Cup.

For an Equibase chart of the race, click here.

In the other stakes results:

The American Triple Crown may be over but Lexie Lou got the Canadian version of the series underway when she won the $1-million Queen’s Plate, Canada’s version of the Kentucky Derby.

The only filly in the field, Lexie Lou covered the 1 ¼ miles over the All Weather track in a time of 2:03.94. Going off as the second choice at 3.10-to-1, Lexie Lou gave trainer Mark Casse his first Queen’s Plate win and jockey Patrick Husbands his second Queen’s Plate victory. Lexie Lou came into the Queen’s Plate off of a win in the Woodbine Oaks last month and she is the first filly to win the Queen’s Plate since 2011.  Ami’s Holiday finished second by 1 ½ lengths with Asserting Bear in third, 1.95-to-1 favorite We Miss Artie finished fourth.

For an Equibase chart of the Queen's Plate, click here.

On the United Nations undercard, Itsmyluckyday looked like he has fully returned from an injury suffered last year when winning the $150,000 Salvator Mile on Sunday.

The Lawyer Ron son, who had been one of the top 3-year-olds early last year, is on a three-race win streak with his return this year being the only blip on his record in 2014. Sitting in the fourth position for the first half of the one-mile race, Itsmyluckyday made his move as the field raced around the turn, going three wide. Taking the lead soon after the field entered the stretch, Itsmyluckyday wandered around the track a bit after making the leadbut easily pulled away as they approached the wire, winning by ½ lengths as the 6-to-5 favorite. Bradester was second with Valid coming in third.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

ITSMYLUCKYDAY WINNING THE SALVATOR MILE

Photo by Equiphoto

newsletter sign-up

Stay up-to-date with the best from America's Best Racing!

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram TikTok YouTube