Connect Leads 1-2 Finish for Brown in Curlin

Connect and Gift Box, stablemates trained by Chad Brown, matched strides down the stretch in the $100,000 Curlin Stakes but pacesetter Connect dug in and edged away to win by a length June 29 at Saratoga Race Course. 

While Paul Pompa Jr.'s Connect dictated a relaxed tempo in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds, Gift Box tracked just off the pace in second, then third, on the inside through a half-mile in :48.43 before challenging on the turn. The pair entered the stretch on nearly even terms and dueled down the lane, but Connect had power in reserve to get the victory under John Velazquez.

Connect, a son of race namesake Curlin  , a two-time Horse of the Year who stands stud at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington, finished the distance in 1:48.69 for his third successive win and first stakes triumph in his stakes debut. The Curlin is a prep for the $1.25 million Travers (gr. I).

Connect grabbed control from Rachel Alexandra's half brother Dolphus to lead before the first turn. He was clear by 1 1/2 lengths for an easy :24.06 opening quarter with Gift Box in closest pursuit among six rivals. Getting more pressure from Gift Box and Javier Castellano nearing the far turn and midway around the bend, Connect entered the stretch with only a neck ahead of his stablemate. The pair commenced a stirring stretch battle before Connect kicked clear in the final 70 yards.  

Gift Box, the even-money favorite, stayed on for second, with Forever d'Oro third, three lengths back. 

Connect, the 8-5 second choice, paid $5.50, $2.80, and $2.40. Gift Box returned $2.50 and $2.10, and Forever d'Oro delivered $5 to show.

Ready Dancer finished fourth, followed by Dolphus, Majesto, and Swipe.

Connect had one outing at 2 in December at Aqueduct Racetrack, broke his maiden in his sophomore debut May 7 at Belmont Park, and then captured a one-turn 1 1/16-mile allowance race June 11 at the Elmont, N.Y., track. The two previous margins of victory were a combined 7 3/4 lengths. The Curlin marked his first start going two turns.

Connect, bred in Kentucky by Fox Straus KY, is out of the unraced Holy Bull mare Bullville Belle, also the dam of a Cherokee Run half sister in multiple stakes winner Tani Maru. The colt was a $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale purchase in 2014 for Pompa via Xavier International Bloodstock. VanMeter Sales consigned. The mare is a half sister to grade III winner and sire Native Regent.