Godolphin's Lucullan Motors to Victory in Knickerbocker
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Lucullan wins the Knickerbocker Stakes at Belmont Park
As a field of six was loaded in the gate Oct. 14 for the $202,000 Knickerbocker Stakes (G2T) at Belmont Park there were Breeders' Cup implications in the air.
By race's end, the outlook for next month had a completely different look to it.
Godolphin Stable's victorious Lucullan surely looked the part of a candidate for the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) after his one-length win in the grassy 1 1/8-mile Knickerbocker, but trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has no intentions of sending the homebred 5-year-old son of Hard Spun to California for the World Championships.
"We entered him in the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1T) but he got excluded because of the conditions of the race," McLaughlin said. "We thought about the Breeders' Cup Mile, that's how much we thought of him, but we won't get in there so we wound up in the Knickerbocker."
The most likely Breeders' Cup candidate in the field was Catholic Boy , who was a grade 1 winner at 3 on turf and dirt, including the Runhappy Travers Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1T). Yet his 4-year-old campaign has been marred by numerous setbacks, leaving the $2.1 million earner with just two 2019 starts heading into the Knickerbocker, which loomed as his springboard to make a big splash at Santa Anita Park Nov. 2.
That could still happen, but Catholic Boy's chances in the Breeders' Cup took a hit Monday as the 6-5 favorite failed to kick into top gear and finished an even fourth, 3 1/4 lengths behind Lucullan.
"It's one of those races I'm not disappointed about, but I'm not thrilled either," said Jonathan Thomas, who trains the son of More Than Ready for Robert LaPenta, Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, and Twin Creeks Stables. "We'll see when he gets back (to the barn). This could be one of those instances where we get back and in a week he's training well and taking a big step forward."
Though Catholic Boy is blessed with versatility, as evidenced by wins in the Travers and the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) a year ago, Thomas seemed to be focusing on the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles on dirt as the ridgling's Breeders' Cup destination, if there is one.
Catholic Boy in his stall at Belmont Park
"He was even (in the Knickerbocker) and he looked like a horse who will not have an issue getting a mile-and-a-quarter. He galloped out very well. Watching that race, he would definitely scream for more real estate. That's why we tried this. We thought a mile might be a little too quick for him," Thomas said. "We'll know soon enough. (The Classic) is the most likely scenario, but we have to talk to everyone first."
In Catholic Boy's two previous efforts at 4, he won the Dixie Stakes (G2T) at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Pimlico Race Course and was second, 4 1/2 lengths behind Preservationist , in the Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park July 6 in his start prior to the Knickerbocker.
He was 13th in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs.
Peter and Eloise Canzone's Dr. Edgar set the pace in the Knickerbocker, leading by 1 1/2 lengths over grade 1 winner Glorious Empire after a half-mile in :48.67. While Catholic Boy and jockey Javier Castellano tracked wide in third, jockey Luis Saez kept Lucullan right behind him in fourth.
Dr. Edgar clung to the lead turning for home, but he was no match for a strong late kick by Lucullan. Carried to the lead with a sixteenth left, Lucullan was able to fend off a late bid by Olympico. The winner was timed in 1:46.87 while covering the final three furlongs in slightly more than :34. He was 3 3/4 lengths behind after six furlongs in 1:12.02.
"Today was perfect. He flew home," McLaughlin said. "That was huge. He's a top horse."
Out of the Seeking the Gold mare Golden Velvet and a half brother to the grade 3 winner Innovative Idea, Lucullan came into the Knickerbocker after being disqualified from third to fourth in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T). Monday's race also marked his fourth start since returning from a 14-month layoff prompted by a hairline fracture of a hind leg. He was grade 3-placed at 3, splitting Yoshida and current Horse of the Year candidate Bricks and Mortar in the 2017 Hill Prince Stakes (G3T).
It was the sixth win in 13 starts for the 5-year-old, who was bred at Darley Stud in Kentucky.
"He beat Bricks and Mortar at 3 and he's a really nice horse who needed some time. He was a little unlucky as a 3-year-old and I'm happy they gave us the time," McLaughlin said. "We hope to have a big year with him next year."
McLaughlin was uncertain about future plans for Lucullan but indicated the Dec. 14 Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) and the Jan. 25 $7 million Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T)—both at Gulfstream Park—could be options down the road.
Olympico, owned by Wonder Stables, Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Bethlehem Stables, rallied from last to take second by two lengths over Dr. Edgar, who had a head on Catholic Boy at the wire.
Matthew Schera's Glorious Empire, who won last year's Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T), was fifth in his second start after a nine-month layoff for trainer James L. Lawrence II.
"Maybe he needed the race or maybe he's 8 and it's catching up with him," Schera said. "We'll take a good look at him before we decide what to do with him. He's done great for us and we'll do the right thing for him."