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Royalty Interest strong from gate-to-wire in Grade 3 Sheepshead Bay

by Christian Abdo

Klaravich Stables’ Royalty Interest led gate-to-wire to win her first graded stakes attempt in Friday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Sheepshead Bay, for older fillies and mares going 1 3/8 miles over the inner turf, at Belmont at the Big A.

Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown notched a record-extending seventh Sheepshead Bay after past triumphs with Higher Truth [2023], Virginia Joy [2022], Santa Monica [2019], Sea Calisi [2016-17], and Rosalind [2015].

Piloted by Eric Cancel, the 4-year-old La Havre bay broke alertly from post 3 and went by the sharp-starting Parnac, who settled on the inside with fellow Brown-trainee and post-time favorite McKulick assuming third position just outside of her through a first quarter-mile in 25.99 seconds over the firm footing.

The French-bred Royalty Interest led the field past the grandstand and into the second turn 2 1/2 lengths ahead of the Manny Franco-piloted McKulick, who maintained a head in front of the Christophe Clement-trained Parnac with one length back to her stablemate La Mehana through a half-mile in 52.08.

Down the backside, McKulick and Parnac gained on Royalty Interest as Cancel began to slow the pace down through three-quarters in 1:18.20. The pair drew within one length of the pacesetter as La Mehana and Star Fortress angled out from the back of the field to make their runs after one mile in 1:43.28.

A loaded Royalty Interest responded to Cancel’s encouragement in the final turn and entered the stretch with a 1 1/2-length advantage over the Vincent Cheminaud-piloted La Mehana, who readied for a try down the center of the course with Star Fortress getting going under Kendrick Carmouche widest of all.

Royalty Interest’s lead dwindled until the wire but she gamely maintained a head over Star Fortress to notch victory, making the grade in a final time of 2:18.05 and galloping out past the wire powerfully in her longest race to date.

“I didn't have to move on her until I got close to the quarter-pole and once I did, she was still full of run,” said Cancel. “She never gave up on me. I saw the two horses on the outside and I thought I was going to get nailed, but that wasn't the case, and we got the victory.”

La Mehana rounded out the trifecta a nose back of Star Fortress. McKulick and Parnac completed the order of finish.

Cancel said Royalty Interest, who stretched out in distance after an allowance score traveling 1 1/16 miles on March 16 over firm Tampa Bay Downs turf, felt like she had something left in the tank.

“It was a very strong gallop-out. I tried to pull her up and I was not able to do it,” Cancel said. “The outrider had to help me out and even then, she dragged the outrider all the way to the three-eighths. She was still full of run."

Carmouche said the Cherie DeVaux-conditioned Star Fortress was game to get up for second despite the moderate early fractions.

“Just a slow trip – slow, slow, slow. My filly kicked when I asked her. She came running home. I thought another couple jumps I would get there, but I thought she ran good all around,” said Carmouche. “Somebody was not going to benefit from it [the slow pace], and somebody will – that’s the way I look at it.”

Bred by China Horse Club, Royalty Interest, out of the winning Shamardal mare Dusky Queen, was a $57,964 purchase at the 2021 Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale. Her first stakes attempt was a fifth in the one-mile Penn Oaks in June on firm Penn National grass after a stalking debut graduation going that distance last March at Tampa Bay.

She banked $110,000 in victory to improve her record to 5-3-1-0 with $157,320 in earnings, while returning $23 on a $2 win ticket.

Live racing resumes Saturday at Belmont at the Big A with an 11-race card featuring the Grade 2, $200,000 Fort Marcy [Race 8], the Listed $150,000 Elusive Quality [Race 9] and the Grade 2, $200,000 Ruffian [Race 10].

First post at the Big A is 1:05 p.m. with the facility open to the public from 10 a.m. - 8:45 p.m. to accommodate a 10:30 a.m. first post at Churchill Downs for their 14-race card that features the Grade 1, $5 million Kentucky Derby in Race 12 at 6:57 p.m. The Big A will host a Kentucky Derby watch party Saturday featuring free bourbon tasting, a premium cigar stand, live music and food trucks.

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.