Beren, from Pennsylvania, catches Candy Man rocket over gold rush – Horse Racing News

Susan Quick’s Beren and Christopher Feifarek completed 5 1/2 lengths in the stretch, closing in on Candy Man Rocket with a strong outward swing and taking the lead in the final stride to win the 100,000 Gold Fever. Sunday $ by a nose in an exciting finish to the six-stage sprint for sophomores at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY

The eighth edition of the Gold Fever saw Beren clinch her first career victory in dramatic fashion, taking down the Ranked Stake winner Candy Man Rocket under the guise of jockey Manny Franco in the feature film for the Nine Race Card. .

Beren snapped off the inside post abruptly, remaining unharmed as Roderick stumbled and Joel Rosario, the unseated rider, exited the door of the 3 post. Horse and rider were uninjured, with the rider picking up Roderick at a gallop. .

American Gentleman led what has become a five-horse field through the opening quarter-mile in 22.79 seconds on the fast main track, with Beren trailing in fourth. Candy Man Rocket, under Junior Alvarado, passed American Gentleman up front with halftime in 46.07, and maintained the advantage in the stretch.

But Beren rallied when he straightened up for the house, as Franco strongly encouraged lefties. The colt Weigelia had plenty of reserve and made up for the deficit in the final sixteenth before rising in time to win the header in a final time of 1: 11.25.

Beren, fourth out after stumbling at the start of the third-year Bay Shore seven-stage event on April 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack, notched his third win in his last four starts.

“The relief of the class helped. He ran with sturdy horses on the shore of the bay, ”Franco said. “I knew the horse belonged here. I just wanted to make sure it broke better than last time. Today he took another slow step, but I got him in the clear and he was comfortable after that.

“It can go seven [furlongs], but I think the six stadiums made the difference today, ”he added.

The Pennsylvania homebred made his first six starts in his home state of Quaker before moving to high-stakes competition last month from coach Butch Reid.

“It was scary, but Manny did a great job,” said Reid. “He straightened him up and got him to change lanes and he finished really well.

“I have found with these Weigelias that they don’t need to be in the lead and that they really like a little humidity on the track,” he added. “I’ve had a lot of them to train and they’re all game horses and have done really well for us.”

Beren, at 3-1, returned $ 8.60 on a winning bet of $ 2 and improved his career winnings to $ 160,420.

“I love getting this money from New York,” said Reid. “There is nothing like it. You know when you come here you beat the best. It’s a special pleasure to come here and win a race.

Hall of Fame coach Bill Mott shortened Candy Man Rocket for his first sprint since being placed on the Triple Crown track. After winning the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3 Sam F. Davis in February at Tampa Bay Downs and finishing with silver in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino, the Colt Candy Ride finished 6 1/2 lengths ahead of Doubleoseven for second place, earning a berth in her debut at Belmont.

“I had a great trip, really no apologies,” Alvarado said. “When we got to cable, I thought we were holding on, but I guess we didn’t. He ran very well. I think it will improve with experience. He will probably be more successful at running shorter distances.

The Wolfman and the American Gentleman completed the order of arrival.

From May 1, Belmont Park reopened to a limited number of spectators. All tickets must be purchased in advance at nyra.com/belmont/tickets/.

For complete information on the health and safety protocols in effect for the Belmont Park Spring / Summer meet, please visit: https://www.nyra.com/belmont/visit/plan-your-visit.

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