Alogon Makes the Grade in Belmont Turf Sprint
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Alogon wins the Belmont Turf Sprint Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
A fierce competitor on the New York turf sprint circuit the last few years, the hard-knocking Alogon landed his first graded stakes victory at the ripe age of 6. The Edward Allard trainee prevailed in a thrilling three-way finish at the wire in the Sept. 27 $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Stakes (G3T) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"This horse has been a model of consistency," Allard said. "He's a 6-year-old, but he's a gelding, so who knows? King Leatherbury had that really good sprinter (Ben's Cat) that won as a 10-year-old, so we still might have some good years in front of us."
In the short term, Allard indicated that Alogon would be back at the Big A to defend his title in the Nov. 1 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship Stakes.
Charles Matses' Alogon was one of only two Kentucky-breds Saturday in a race dominated by New York-bred contenders. Breaking alertly under jockey Dylan Davis, Alogon tucked into third behind the pacesetting Dancing Buck and Senbei , last year's Belmont Turf Sprint victor. Racing three wide into the turn after fractions of :22.02 and :44.20, Alogon got the jump on race favorite Twenty Six Black , rallying to take command down the lane.
Alogon ($11.36) repelled a late challenge from Bold Journey , who closed in between horses, and from Twenty Six Black to his outside. The son of California Chrome crossed the wire a neck in front in a sharp final time of 1:07.63 for the 6 furlongs on a firm turf course.