Vekoma, Network Effect Could Meet Again in Forego

Randy Hill was still on cloud nine July 5 a day after Vekoma, whom he owns in partnership with Gatsas Stables, went gate-to-wire in the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) at Belmont Park.

"What a horse," Hill said. "I'll never own another horse like this. I've watched the race about 20 times and it just gives me goosebumps. I really wish I could have been there, but I'd rather win than be there and lose them."

Vekoma is 3-for-3 this season at 4. The George Weaver-trained son of Candy Ride  has won back-to-back top level races, also taking the June 6 Runhappy Carter Handicap (G1). Both grade 1 wins came over Network Effect, and both colts could be heading for another rematch at Saratoga Race Course. 

The Aug. 29 Forego Stakes Presented by America's Best Racing (G1) at Saratoga could be the next start for Vekoma, Hill said. The owner also mentioned the possibility of Vekoma training up to the Nov. 6-7 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland.

Vekoma has earned an automatic entry into both the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) and the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) with his Carter and Met Mile wins, respectively.

"I think he's the best older horse in the country," Hill said. "George is thinking about the Forego or training right up to the Breeders' Cup and we leave all of that up to him. The horse will tell us. He's such a warrior."

Blair Golen, who oversees Weaver's Belmont string, reported that Vekoma emerged from Saturday's triumph in good shape.

"He came out of it in good order," Golen said. "What impressed me last time and this time was that he wasn't that tired. When he ran here at seven furlongs, he recovered fast and was really on the muscle, and it was the same again this time too."

Klaravich Stables' Network Effect finished second to Vekoma for the third time in the Met Mile, having also been beaten in the 2018 Nashua Stakes (G3). Trainer Chad Brown said the 4-year-old Mark Valeski  colt is likely to make his next start in the Forego, which is seven furlongs for 4-year-olds and up.

"I think the Forego would be on his radar," said Brown.

One race later, Brown trainees Instilled Regard and Rockemperor completed the exacta in the the Manhattan Stakes (G1T), with the former catching his stablemate by a neck.

"The horse really deserved to win a grade 1. He ran a great race yesterday," Brown said of OXO Equine's Instilled Regard. "He had been knocking on the door of winning a big race. I'm really proud of the horse. He's improved a lot."

Brown said Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Michael Kisber, and Bethlehem Stables' Rockemperor has a top-flight win in his future.

"You'd think so," said Brown. "He was unlucky to lose yesterday. He probably never saw that horse coming. He ran a super race but he just got nailed on the wire."

Tacitus to Step Back Up to Grade 1 Company

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott enjoyed a successful Saturday afternoon, taking two of the five graded stakes at Belmont Park. Mott sent out Frank's Rockette and now three-time graded stakes-winning multimillionaire Tacitus to respective victories in the Victory Ride Stakes (G3) and Suburban Stakes (G2). He reported that both horses exited their triumphs in good order.

"They both ran really well and really hard, but the good thing is they look great this morning," Mott said.

Mott said the Juddmonte Farms' homebred would target "one or the other" between the Aug. 1 Whitney Stakes (G1) at nine furlongs or the Sept. 5 Woodward Handicap (G1) at 10 furlongs.

Mott made an equipment change with Tacitus for the Suburban, adding blinkers. 

"It seemed to help quite a bit. The maturity and the blinkers all kind of seemed to come together," he said.

Mott also reported that the Aug. 8 Longines Test (G1) is an option for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations' Frank's Rockette.

Another Saturday winner pointing toward a Spa target is The Elkstone Group's Social Paranoia, who rallied wide to win the Poker Stakes (G3T). Trained by Todd Pletcher, Social Paranoia is likely to take aim at the Aug. 22 Fourstardave Handicap (G1T).