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Sacrosanct untouchable in $125K Bertram F. Bongard

by Mary Eddy

Sacrosanct went wire-to-wire under a confident Manny Franco to notch his first stakes win in Sunday’s $125,000 Bertram F. Bongard, a seven-furlong sprint for New York-bred juveniles, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by dual Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox, the son of Honest Mischief was never in doubt when leading at each point of call from the inside post, earning the win on the heels of an impressive debut graduation sprinting six furlongs on August 21 at Saratoga Race Course.

The Bongard marked the second stakes win of the day for co-owner Lady Sheila Stable, who also co-owns Joseph A. Gimma [Race 1] victress With the Angels, and is partnered with Net Birdie and Schwing Thoroughbreds on Sacrosanct.

Sheila Rosenblum of Lady Sheila Stable said it was special to sweep the stakes on the card with two promising juveniles.

"Both are 2-for-2 now - they both broke their maidens in their first start and won a stakes in their second start,” said Rosenblum. “I think I've got one or two nice horses, and they are both pretty talented, I think. I know both sides of this game - they don't always win - but the good moments are exhilarating."

Rosenblum, whose stable most notably campaigned 2015 Champion Female Sprinter and top New York-bred La Verdad, went on to express her appreciation for the New York-bred program.

"I've been an advocate of the New York-bred program, and I've always loved New York-bred horses,” Rosenblum said. “From my first win with La Verdad - it's all about New York - I have to be there and support New York. Aqueduct is wonderful and I look forward to getting Belmont back as well, but my horses really do like Aqueduct.

"The New York-bred program is a great program and it's gotten larger and larger,” Rosenblum continued. “I really do try to create and get New York-bred horses, so this has been an incredible day. I'm absolutely speechless."

In the Bongard, the field of seven emerged evenly from the gate as the trio of Sacrosanct, Buttah and McDiesel were three across the racetrack in the early stages, but it was not long before the three separated and Sacrosanct was the clear leader along the inside through the opening quarter-mile in 22.89 seconds over the fast footing.

Franco noted he had expected the even-starting Manhattan Twist to be present on the front end from post 4.

"My main thing was trying to break good,” Franco said. “I did not expect to be on the lead, but the four horse I don't know, don't break, I have to look at the replay, but my horse broke on top and I said 'Man, he has a race under his belt already,' so I take it by the break and it worked out perfect for me."

Buttah tracked in second down the backstretch and came under a ride from Lane Luzzi in the turn as McDiesel faded from third, leaving his place to be taken by the oncoming Pay the Juice with a four-wide bid under Flavien Prat.

The pursuers’ efforts proved insufficient as Sacrosanct widened his margin and marked the half-mile in 46.68, arriving at the top of the lane 6 1/2 lengths in front of an all-out Buttah. A cool Franco kept his charge to task to the eighth pole before gearing Sacrosanct down in the final sixteenth, with the pair crossing the wire 12 lengths in front in a final time of 1:24.35.

Buttah held second by 1 3/4 lengths over Pay the Juice with Smilensaycheese coming on late to complete the superfecta. Manhattan Twist, Oath of Omerta and McDiesel rounded out the order of finish.

Dustin Dugas, Cox’s Belmont Park-based assistant, said Sacrosanct has made a steady progression since this spring.

"We had him here at the beginning and we really liked him, so we sent him up to Saratoga early to prepare for his first start,” Dugas recalled. “He pulled through then and he's been training super since he came back from Saratoga. He hasn't missed a lick and was training right along. Brad always thought he could stretch out and he did it with ease today.

Dugas added the one-mile $200,000 Sleepy Hollow against fellow state-breds on October 27 here could be the next logical step for Sacrosanct.

"The way he did it today, I wouldn't see any reason to skip it, but we'll go back to Brad and let him pick out the race and go from there,” Dugas concluded.

Sacrosanct was bred by Burleson Farms, Mckenzie Bloodstock, and Sequel Thoroughbreds, and was a $260,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. He banked $68,750 in victory while returning $4.50 on a $2 win ticket.

Live racing resumes Thursday at the Big A with an eight-race card headlined by the $125,000 John Hettinger in Race 6. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.

America’s Day at the Races will present live coverage and analysis of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, 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 fall meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.