NEW YORK (AP) — Al Khali beat Winchester, the 3-5 favorite, by a neck Saturday in the $150,000 Bowling Green Handicap, the opening day feature at Belmont Park.
Alan Garcia was aboard for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, guiding Al Khali to his sixth win in 17 starts. The 4-year-old covered the 1 3-8 miles in 2:15.23.
Al Khali, the 5-2 second choice, paid $7.30, $3.10 and $2.60. Winchester returned $2.20 and $2.10. Simmard earned $4.40 to show.
Stuck in traffic turning for home, Al Khali sprung free in the final eighth of a mile. He kicked home strongly on the far outside of the turf course to edge Winchester with Simmard only a head back in third.
