$2 Million OBS Buy Chestertown Third in Debut

All the hopes and anxiety wrapped into buying an unraced 2-year-old for a multi-million-dollar price tag were taken to the next level Oct. 24, when Chestertown made his highly anticipated debut in the second race at Belmont Park.

Bought for a sale-record $2 million at the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, expectations to win first time out were high, but the reality of just how difficult it can be to win a horse race—at any level—showed Thursday. The expensive son of Tapit  broke slowly in the $60,140 maiden test and was last after the opening quarter-mile in a field of five 2-year-old New York-breds, but then he rallied mildly in the final furlong to finish third, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, in the six-furlong test.

"We didn't buy him for a six-furlong race at Belmont Park in October," said West Point Thoroughbreds president and CEO Terry Finley, who signed the hefty sales ticket for the colt along with Siena Farm and Rob Masiello. "Everyone likes to win, but Rome wasn't built in a day, and a career isn't built off one race. I just wanted him to show us he has some talent and give us some optimism, and he certainly did that. Mission accomplished."

Finley said Chestertown, the 6-5 favorite, will remain in New York for about a week and then head to trainer Steve Asmussen's barn at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to prepare for a two-turn open maiden race at the Louisiana track.

"This sets him nicely for two turns next time," Finley said.

Fair Grounds opens Nov. 28.

As the other four contenders raced ahead of him in a line, Chestertown and jockey Manny Franco were about 1 1/2 lengths behind the pack after an opening quarter-mile in :23.05. He was still last at the quarter pole as Alpha Delta Stables' Scilly Cay, the 9-5 second choice, launched a three-wide move that propelled the son of Fed Biz  to a decisive lead in the stretch.

Chestertown did not find his best stride until the final sixteenth and closed to finish a half-length behind runner-up Dangerous Edge, a son of Competitive Edge  owned by Gatsas Stable, Parkland Thoroughbreds and R. A. Hill Stable.

Scilly Cay, trained by Linda Rice, finished in a quick 1:10.35 while winning by two lengths. Third in his debut Aug. 23 at Saratoga Race Course, he is a homebred out of the French Deputy mare French Satin and a half brother to grade 3 winner Long Haul Bay.

Finley said the way Chestertown galloped out after the race bodes well for his future at longer distances.

"I like that he settled after he got left. He didn't seem to like kickback, but a lot of first-time starters don't," Finley said. "I thought he put in a big run, and he galloped out in front of everybody. Manny said he felt great and wants to go two turns."

Chestertown was bred by Chester and Mary Broman and races for West Point, the Bromans, Woodford Racing, Siena Farm, and Masiello. 

The first foal out of the Bromans' two-time grade 1-winning Roman Ruler mare Artemis Agrotera, he was consigned to the Ocala sale by Sequel Bloodstock.

"I think he'll be a fun horse for us," Finley said. "We have a great group of partners. Let's see if he's as good as we think he is."