NEW YORK (AP) — Irish-bred Cape Blanco denied Gio Ponti a threepeat in the Man o’ War Stakes on Saturday, winning the $600,000 race by 214 lengths on the turf at Belmont Park.
Cape Blanco ran the 1 3-8 miles in 2:14.06 over the course rated good, earning $8.10, $4.10 and $2.80. Gio Ponti, the even-money favorite, returned $2.60 and $2.10, while Boisterous paid $2.90.
Cape Blanco had a perfect trip in his U.S. debut as Jamie Spencer positioned him second behind the pacesetting Mission Approved. The winner of the 2010 Irish Derby for trainer Aidan O’Brien took charge in midstretch and held off a late run from Gio Ponti.
