NEW YORK (AP) — Drosselmeyer won the $60,000 One Count Stakes on Sunday at Belmont Park in the return to scene of his greatest triumph.
The victory was the first for the 4-year-old since he won the Belmont Stakes last year. He was sidelined with ankle issues following the Belmont and hard run only twice since then in Florida earlier this season.
The return to Belmont was the tonic, but it did not come easy. He beat Birdrun, the determined pacesetter, by only a neck for his fourth win in 12 starts. Jose Lezcano rode for trainer Bill Mott as Drosselmeyer ran the 114 miles in 2:06.07.
He paid $6.90, $3.90 and $2.40 as the 2-1 second choice. Birdrun, also trained by Mott but uncoupled in the betting, returned $4.90 and $2.70. Inherit the Gold, the even-money favorite, paid $2.10 to show.
