Innovation Economy Wins Belmont Gold Cup

Despite a slow start, Innovation Economy became a stakes winner when he reeled in favored Unitarian to take the $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational June 5 at Belmont Park .

 

Racing near the back of the pack for most of the two-mile contest, Innovation Economy began picking off horses entering the far turn for the final time, threading his way through traffic under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. before finally collaring Unitarian in the final strides to prevail by a half length.

 

"This horse has been so consistent," said winning trainer Chad Brown. "He's lightly raced, but has a tremendous amount of stamina for a horse that hasn't run much. It's been a little bit of a frustrating day for us, but the ride that Irad gave him was perfect. The only instructions I gave him were 'show them you're the best turf rider in the game,' and I think he did. He missed the break a little bit, but he didn't panic and saved ground. It's our job to put the right horses underneath him, and I think we did."

 

Innovation Economy was winning for the third time in a row and fourth time from six career starts for owners Klaravich Stables Inc. and William Lawrence, while pushing his bankroll up to $272,503.

 

"I didn't want to be that far back but that's the game," Ortiz said. "When they broke he missed the start so I dropped in and saved ground and saved my horse for the end, and he was there. I believe a lot in Chad Brown, all his horses finish good. I waited and I was patient and when I asked him, he took off. It was a very nice day, very special."

 

Bred in Kentucky by Dr. John Chandler, Innovation Economy broke his maiden in his debut on Oct. 27, 2013 at Saratoga Race Course. He didn't return to the races until the summer of 2014, where he dropped his next two starts before winning an optional claiming race at Aqueduct Race Track on Nov. 23.

 

The 4-year-old son of Dynaformer made his 2015 debut a winning one when he scored in an allowance race at Keeneland on April 23.

 

Innovation Economy returned $7 to win as the second-choice in the field of 10, $4 to place and $3.10 to show after completing the two miles in 3:22.17 over Belmont's Widener Turf Course that was labeled firm.

 

Unitarian, the 2-1 favorite, paid $3.50 and $2.60, while Dynamic Sky returned $4.20 to show.

 

"He ran good, I had no excuse," said jockey Javier Castellano, who rode Unitarian. "The other horse he came from behind and was off the pace too. We just got beat today. I saved all the ground in good position. When I moved turning for home I thought I was home free and the winner was much the best today."

 

Reflecting finished fourth and was followed by Morning Calm, Artic North, Tattenham, Manchurian High, Red Rifle, and Comes the Dream.

 

Diplomat was an early scratch from the race.