Society Man the Real Deal in Matt Winn
Image:
Description:
Photo: Coady Media/Renee Torbit
Society Man wins the Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs
Society Man proved himself the real deal with an impressive win in the $400,000 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs June 9.
Breaking slow from post five of eight, Society Man took his position near the back of the field for jockey Corey Lanerie.
Following fractions of :24.20 and :47.37 set by Northern Flame and Who Dey , Society Man saved ground on the rail rounding the far turn and angled out into the three path entering the stretch.
Surging past the leaders with a furlong left, Society Man opened up a 2 1/2-length winner while completing the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.33. Who Dey held second while Next Level was third.
"He was a fun ride," said Lanerie, who rode the Good Magic gelding for the first time. "He was in my hands and did whatever I wanted him to do."
A 106-1 longshot when runner-up in the Wood Memorial (G2), many dismissed Society Man as a fluke after he finished 16th in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1). He rewarded his believers by paying $14.78 for a $2 win bet.
"All these 3-year-olds start changing and maturing at different times," Lanerie said. "By the end of the year, he could become one of the best. He might just be coming into himself."
Society Man was one of two Derby entrants for trainer Danny Gargan. The other, Dornoch , won the Belmont Stakes (G1) one day before Society Man's triumph.
"I bet (Gargan)'s on cloud nine, he probably thinks he's dreaming," Lanerie said. "This is what we all come out and work hard for every day."
Bred by SF Bloodstock, Society Man picks up his second victory in seven starts for owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, West Paces Racing, GMP Stables, and Carl and Yurie Pascarella. He has now earned $437,230.
Video: Matt Winn S. (G3)
Emery Runs Herself into Test Consideration
Stonestreet Stable's Emery set herself up for bigger and better down the line with the easiest of scores in the $170,450 Leslie's Lady Overnight Stakes.
Emery wins the Leslie's Lady Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs
Breaking last in the field of five, jockey Tyler Gaffalione never panicked behind Moonlit Lady 's fractions of :22.74 and :45.57.
Gaffalione made a wide, sweeping move around the turn and Emery coasted passed her rivals. At the eighth pole, it was simply a matter of how much Gaffalione wanted to win by—which was 3 1/2 lengths—as he geared her down to the wire.
Emery paid $3.78 to win while stopping the clock in 1:22.46 for seven furlongs.
Tambo finished second and Legadema was third.
Well thought of following her 5 3/4-length maiden victory at Saratoga Race Course last summer, Emery was given time off by trainer Brad Cox to freshen up following a disappointing fourth to future champion Just F Y I in the Frizette Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Back on track, the Aug. 3 $500,000 Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga could be an option.
"We'll see how the numbers come back and if we like what we see, we might take a shot in the Test," assistant trainer Trace Messina said.
Should Emery bypass the Test, the $175,000 Audubon Oaks at Ellis Park Aug. 11 could be another option.