With The Moonlight Scratched From New York

Godolphin's dual group 2 winner With The Moonlight , a leading contender for the June 9 New York Stakes (G1T), has been withdrawn by trainer Charlie Appleby. The winner of last year's Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3T) had been pointed to the New York since February.

Appleby said With The Moonlight could try the July 15 $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course or look longer term at the Oct. 8 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine.

"She scoped poorly on Wednesday and obviously it wasn't ideal, so she's going to miss today's engagement," Appleby said. "We will possibly think of going to the Diana or we might just give her a bit more time and look towards working back from the E.P. Taylor with her. There's a trial over there in Canada en route, so that might just be the way forward for her."

Internationally-Acclaimed Rider Buick Looks to Add One More

Jockey William Buick needs no introduction to top-class international racing, being blessed with the high-profile first-call role for Charlie Appleby's Godolphin yard. Making the most of it, the Britain-based Norwegian native and reigning champion jockey in the United Kingdom has landed group or grade 1s in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, UAE, Canada and the United States—including seven Breeders' Cups—and will look to add one more in Saturday's $750,000 Manhattan Stakes (G1T) with Ottoman Fleet .

Like Buick—fresh off another successful winter in Dubai and another group 1 win in May's Lockinge Stakes aboard champion Modern Games—Ottoman Fleet comes into the weekend in top form. The son of Sea The Stars  won Newmarket's Earl of Sefton Stakes (G3) on April 18 and Belmont's Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T) on May 6 in his last two efforts. Buick had the choice between the 4-year-old gelding, whom he piloted at Newmarket, and beaten Man o' War Stakes (G1T) favorite Warren Point .

"He's in excellent form right now," Buick said. "Both horses drew well in gates 3 and 4, respectively, so that's a big help, and Ottoman Fleet is a horse I should be able to put where I want. When he won the Fort Marcy, he had a good pace to run at and that was probably his ideal setup. Something similar to that would be great. He obviously likes the track and adapted very well to the style of racing.

"I think he's a horse who's still on the up with some improvement left in him," Buick continued. "Obviously Up to the Mark  is still an improving horse and an obvious danger and Warren Point is better than he showed last time, so it's a competitive race. We just hope all goes to plan and he can show his true ability."

Buick will seek his first win at Belmont Park, having finished third in his lone try, the 2022 Man o' War with Yibir . He quickly made amends in the Empire State with a popular sweep of August's Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) and Saratoga Oaks Invitational with Godolphin's Nations Pride  and With The Moonlight, respectively.

"It was my first time at Saratoga and it was unbelievable, really," Buick reflected. "When I first went out on the track in the morning before the races on Saturday, the atmosphere and vibe—it was just a great place. Everyone was in a great mood and it was great racing. I really enjoyed it and obviously coming back with two winners made it all the better. It's a great place and I'm very privileged to have these kinds of opportunities."

All in all, Buick sports a 21% stateside strike rate and more than $13 million in prize money. Needless to say, he was not shying away from another trip across the Atlantic.

"I love coming over here. It's an easy trip and not all jockeys get this kind of chance," Buick concluded. "Obviously, Charlie knows what horses to send here and he has done it with great success, and riding here helps me improve because you're going against great riders at the top level. You have to really be on your A-game and I feel very fortunate to be able do so."

Buick will kick off his Belmont Stakes Racing Festival weekend aboard favorite Siskany  in Friday's $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup Stakes (G2T), giving him an initial opportunity to get on the scoreboard.