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Legend of Time finds late seam to take G2 Pennine Ridge

by Mary Eddy

Godolphin’s Legend of Time found a late opening in deep stretch to capture Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Pennine Ridge, a nine-furlong outer turf test for sophomores, at Belmont at the Big A.

The first three finishers of the Pennine Ridge will receive an automatic invitation to the Grade 1, $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational, a 1 3/16-mile turf test for sophomores on Saturday, July 6th, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, the son of Sea The Stars rebounded from a pace-pressing fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 American Turf on May 4 at Churchill Downs where he made his stateside debut after three consecutive wins at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. He added to a stakes score two starts back in Meydan’s Jumeirah Classic on March 2.

The victory marked the 11th graded win in New York for Appleby following past success with Althiqa [2021 G1 Diana, 2021 G1 Just a Game], Nations Pride [2022 G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational, 2022 G3 Jockey Club Derby], With The Moonlight [2022 G3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational], Ottoman Fleet [2023 G2 Fort Marcy], Siskany [2023 G2 Belmont Gold Cup], Eternal Hope [2023 G3 Jockey Club Oaks Invitational, 2023 G2 Sands Points] and Silver Knott [2024 G2 Man o’ War].

Ridden to victory by Hall of Famer Joel Rosario, Legend of Time bobbled slightly at the break from post 2-of-6 and settled at the rear of the field as White Palomino took charge along the inside with Cable Ready applying slight pressure in second through the opening quarter-mile in 23.67 seconds over the firm footing.

The Flavien Prat-piloted White Palomino maintained his advantage into the backstretch where Cable Ready kept close watch from second and St James the Great rated three-wide in third through the half-mile in 48.76. Legend of Time patiently lingered in last as White Palomino came under pressure from Cable Ready heading into the final turn and St James the Great launched his wide bid with three-quarters elapsed in 1:12.98.

Legend of Time improved to third at the stretch call and was in need of room in the two-path as White Palomino was under threat from a game Cable Ready and St James the Great evened out in the center of the course. Legend of Time was loaded behind Cable Ready inside the final eighth of a mile and a collected Rosario continued to ask his charge for his best in anticipation of a seam to open. The opportunity arose in the final sixteenth as Legend of Time bravely split rivals and took dead aim at White Palomino, edging clear late to nip his rival by a head in a final time of 1:47.73.

Royal Majesty got up in the final strides to secure show honors by a head over Cable Ready, 1 1/4 lengths back of White Palomino. St James the Great and Triple Espresso completed the order of finish while Risk Tolerance was a late scratch at the gate.

Chris Connett, traveling assistant to Appleby, praised the expert ride from Rosario.

"Joel had him in a nice rhythm and he was nice and relaxed compared to his last run at Churchill,” Connett said of opting to take the colt well off the pace. “That's what Charlie was hoping for - to get him in a good and relaxed rhythm. We know he's a horse that always finishes off his races really strongly, so we had every confidence in Joel.

"Obviously, when you're an eighth from the wire and haven't quite got out yet, you have a little worry but once the gap came, he quickened up nicely,” Connett added. “He's a smart horse."

Rosario, who was aboard for the first time in the afternoon, said he was pleased with the trip he engineered.

"That worked out good. I mean, I was trapped inside there for a little bit. It looked like I had the horse, so it worked out good,” said Rosario. “The instructions were try to follow along and hopefully he will relax. Then, go from there. It looked like he relaxed really nice, and I just had to find a place to go. He was the best horse in the race."

Bred in Great Britain by Lordship Stud and Sunderland Holding, Legend of Time was a $174,613 purchase at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and is out of the graded stakes-placed Danehill Dancer mare Kissable, who also produced Grade 1-placed Amandine. He banked $110,000 in victory while returning $3.80 on a $2 win ticket as the 4-5 post-time favorite.

Prat, aboard the Chad Brown-trained White Palomino, said his horse ran admirably in his first effort against winners.

"The trip was good,” said Prat. “Once we fought those two back, those two on the outside, I thought the job was done. But the Godolphin behind us, he had the best horse."

Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont at the Big A with a nine-race card. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont at the Big A, and the best way to bet every race of the spring/summer meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.