LaPenta Set for Big Weekend at Belmont

Eleven years ago today, Robert LaPenta found himself hoisting, somewhat improbably, the Belmont Stakes (G1) trophy, after his Da' Tara, at odds of 38.5-1, the longest shot in the field, romped home by 5 1/4 lengths. Big Brown , winner of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Preakness Stakes (both G1), was distanced, finishing last. 

A graduate of Iona College, the Catholic institution 20 miles north of Belmont Park in New Rochelle, NY, LaPenta recently recounted one of his favorite stories from that day.

"The nuns were on a retreat that weekend, and after the race was over, I got a bunch of texts from them," he said, laughing at the memory. "There were 300 nuns rooting for Da' Tara on a big screen at the retreat. I said it was a miracle what he did that day." 

June 8 in the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Iona's maroon and gold colors, replicated in LaPenta's silks, will adorn José Ortiz, who is riding LaPenta's Coal Front, making his first start since winning the Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One (G2) at Meydan Racecourse in March. LaPenta owns the 5-year-old ridgling in partnership with Head of Plains Partners.

June 7, another LaPenta/Head of Plains horse, 6-year-old Whitmore, will make his 28th start in the 6 1/2-furlong True North Stakes (G2), seeking his second win this year. 

"He's always been such an incredible fighter," said LaPenta of the horse trained by Ron Moquett, who is the third partner in Whitmore. "Early on, we had him on the Derby trail and had high hopes for him, but that didn't end well."

Whitmore finished 19th in Louisville. Moquett cut him back in distance, and the son of Pleasantly Perfect has won five graded stakes races, including last summer's Forego Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, as a sprinter, earning nearly $2.6 million. 

"He doesn't get enough credit for what he's done," said LaPenta. "He's an incredible asset and joy for us and our families."

This is Whitmore's third start in the True North. He finished second by a neck last year to Imperial Hint and ran third two years ago. 

In the Met Mile, Coal Front (Stay Thirsty ) is seeking his first grade 1 win, against a field that boasts five winners at that level and is one of the most competitive editions of the 126-year-old race. 

"To me, this is a bigger race than the Belmont this year," said LaPenta. "I don't know if there's ever been a better Met Mile."  

He's less enthusiastic about Coal Front's post position. He'll break from post one.

"It's awful," he said frankly. "He's got two of the favorites (McKinzie and Mitole) right outside him. But he's a fighter. If he sees a horse in front of him, he wants to win. He's got incredible heart."

"This is a big race for us, and for him," he went on. "Stay Thirsty has not been a stellar sire."

LaPenta bought Stay Thirsty as a yearling for $160,000 in 2008 and pinhooked him for $500,000. Despite the profit, LaPenta rues giving up the colt that would go on to earn just shy of $2 million on the strength of wins in the Travers Stakes and Cigar Mile Handicap (both G1). 

"Coal Front's been incredible story for us," he said. "He was the first U.S. horse to win the Dubai exp with his first U.S. horse to win the Godolphin Mile, and that was an incredible performance. He's come back from two serious injuries, and he's just a beautiful, beautiful horse."  

Known to get emotional in the winner's circle after a big race, LaPenta hopes he'll need a tissue or two this weekend. 

"I've been in this game quite a bit of time now, and the joys are over the moon," he reflected. "What you have to do is moderate the difficult times. This is a special weekend, and yes, if we win, I'll be crying in the winner's circle."