Hot List Graded Stakes Review: The United Nations Stakes
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Main Sequence (outside) won the United Nations Stakes in his U.S. debut. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
By Bill Cloutier
The 63rd running of the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes turned out to be a thriller born more out of necessity than best-laid plans.
Main Sequence, a 5-year old gelding making his U.S. racing debut, came from off the pace to capture the $535,000 event at Monmouth on Saturday. The Graham Motion charge rallied from last place in the field of nine to catch Twilight Eclipse and the front-running Side Glance in the final strides to post his first win since May of 2012.
Main Sequence, who was second in the famed Epsom Derby in 2012, went off at 8-1 and had lost 10 straight starts. Motion had planned to enter Main Sequence in the Arlington Handicap as a prep for the Arlington Million but the horse became ill and the veteran trainer wanted to limit his travels. Thus, Motion opted for the Grade 1 event in New Jersey instead and Rajiv Maragh worked magic in the saddle winning the 1 3/8-mile event on the turf in a time of 2:14.23.
Kaigun, who was second to two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan in his last start, was a disappointing fifth as a lukewarm favorite. Lochte, another contender, was scratched.
Side Glance earned a Hot List grade of C for his effort. The speedster finished second after taking late money at the windows dropping from 8-1 to 5.60-to-1 in the final clicks. Exclusive Strike earned a Hot List grade of B for his troubled trip. He made an impressive run along the rail before getting shut off at the top of the stretch. He then made another threat before encountering traffic and eventually ran out of gas. A drop in class or distance could do wonders for him.
United Nations Late Wagering Report
Horse No.
Odds – 3 min. to post
Final Odds
1
4
9-2
2
4
4
3
9-2
7-2
4
65
85
5
5
8
6
14
17
7
5-2
3
8
18
17
9
Scratched
10
8
5
The Hot List, founded by turf writer/handicapper Bob Ehalt in 2011, blends a detailed analysis of a race with late wagering trends to pick out the horses with the best chance of running a winning race in their next start. Hot List horses are rated in four lettered categories:
A: A preferred horse to watch off his effort in the race B: A secondary horse to watch off his effort in the race *C: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final minutes of wagering and finished 1st through 3rd *D: Went down 2 or more betting notches in the final minutes of wagering and finished 4th or worse
* - 4 or more betting notches if 11-1 or more.
For questions on the Hot List, email: nyhotlist@gmail.com