Golden Ticket Up in Time for Left Bank Score
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Golden Ticket and Alpha, dead-heat winners of the 2012 Travers Stakes (gr. I), met up again in the Left Bank Stakes on opening day of the Belmont Park fall meet Sept. 5, but this time Golden Ticket was the clear victor .
The late-charging Golden Ticket rallied from last after a half-mile to edge favored Pants On Fire and Integrity by a neck in the restricted $98,000 event at one mile, while Alpha finished at the other end of the five-horse field.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice in the small field, Golden Ticket was ridden by Joel Rosario in a time of 1:35 flat for the first victory for the son of Speightstown since the Prairie Meadows Handicap more than 14 months ago. Golden Ticket was last of nine in the Whitney Stakes (gr. I) in his most recent race Aug. 2.
"Last time I think we made a mistake trying to chase Moreno," said Ken McPeek, who trains Golden Ticket for Magic City Thoroughbred Partners. "I was a little worried (today) that he was too far back, but (Rosario) knows the horse, and every time he has ridden him he has run really well. This horse—this was his 28th start—he's just hickory. Next start will be the Breeders' Cup (Dirt) Mile (gr. I), and then I think we'll call it a career."
Rosario rode Golden Ticket to a runner-up finish in last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, 2 3/4 lengths behind Goldencents . This year's race is Oct. 31 at Santa Anita Park.
Bred by WinStar Farm, 5-year-old Golden Ticket is out of the Deputy Minister mare Business Plan. The dark bay or brown horse improved his career line to 5-9-3 in 28 races.
Integrity staked a one-length advantage over 7-5 choice Pants On Fire, with Alpha tracking in third along the rail through solid fractions in the one-turn race of :23.05, :45.47, and 1:09.64. By that point, Alpha was already beginning to weaken as Golden Ticket, detached from the field into the turn, picked up his pace while racing five paths wide.
Squared away for the drive, Rosario called on Golden Ticket, who responded gamely down the center of the track to get up in the final couple of jumps over a pair of determined rivals in Pants On Fire, closing between horses, and Integrity.
"I let him come with a big run, because that's the way he likes to run," Rosario said. "I was very happy with his performance."
Pants On Fire, ridden by Paco Lopez, nosed out Integrity and Javier Castellano for second, with Stormin Monarcho three-quarters of a length back in fourth. Alpha, who captured the 2013 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) but is winless since, was beaten by 7 3/4 lengths.
Golden Ticket, who extended his earnings to $1,329,090, returned $7.30, $3.20, and $2.30 while carrying 118 pounds. Pants On Fire, also carrying 118, paid $3 and $2,10, completing a $21.40 exacta. Integrity, top-weighted at 124 off three consecutive wins earlier this year for trainer Chad Brown, paid $2.90 to show. Pass the Dice scratched.