House of War earns first stakes win in $175K Notebook
The Warnick Stable and Joseph A. Hinkhouse’s homebred House of War took command in the stretch and had enough in reserve to repel a late surge from Howard’s Hope to capture Sunday’s $175,000 Notebook, a one-mile Widener turf test for New York-bred juveniles, at Belmont Park.
House of War, who posted a debut victory against fellow state breds going 1 1/16 miles on August 26 at Saratoga Race Course, rewarded his 1-2 favoritism by notching his second win in three starts for trainer Jorge Abreu, thanks in part to jockey Manny Franco’s patient ride.
Franco kept his charge tracking in fourth position as Miracle Morrow led the nine-horse field through an opening quarter mile in 23.76 seconds, the half-mile in 47.73 and three-quarters in 1:11.79 over the firm going.
The trip set up for House of War to use his strong closing kick, with Franco tipping him out slightly out of the turn, where he overtook Captain George and Miracle Morrow. Howard’s Hope gave a late run from the far outside under jockey Jose Lezcano, but House of War powered to the wire in a final time of 1:35.36 for a half-length score.
Captain George finished third, one length behind Howard’s Hope, with Epic Prayer running fourth. Billy Bucchero, Soldier’s Glory, Miracle Morrow, Road Show and Cuylle completed the order of finish.
House of War cut back in distance after contesting his first two races at 1 1/16 miles, including a fifth-place effort under Antonio Fresu in the Grade 2 Pilgrim in October at Belmont in a race won by Let Em Know, who went on to run ninth in Friday’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland.
“I had the trip that I wanted. I wanted to be behind the speed going a mile today,” said Franco, who picked up his second win of the day on the Belmont card. “I feel like I had the best horse in the race, so I tried to ride him that way and the race set up the way I wanted. When he got in the clear, I asked a little bit, and he made the front. At the same time, I knew I had more, so I just kept asking him to give it to me and he did.”
Abreu said the distance gave him some minor trepidation heading into the Notebook but was proud of how his charge handled it.
“Last time, he was compromised by the pace, sitting behind a wall of horses and Fresu didn't know him very well,” Abreu said. “After he passed the wire, he galloped out in front of everybody. We know the ability is there and I think the more distance he gets, the better he's going to be. He doesn't have to be against New York-breds, he's capable of running open company.
“At the quarter-pole, I was a little concerned because there was a wall of horses, but Manny rode a perfect race,” Abreu added. “He found his moment and stuck him outside.”
The War Dancer colt, out of the winning Gemologist mare Diamond Princess, returned $3.04 on a $2 win wager. He improved his career earnings to $169,500.
Howard’s Hope, trained by Horacio De Paz for owner-breeder Barry Schwartz, finished in the money for the second time in three starts.
“He broke good. You have to break running, especially inside, but after that he got a little keen,” Lezcano said. “I don't want to move way outside. I stayed inside, and had check a little coming to the quarter. But this a horse who is getting better and better."
Howard’s Hope appeared to be in a winning position when bumped by fellow New York-bred Fullcup nearing the eighth-pole and unseated Lezcano last out in the 1 1/16-mile Laurel Futurity on September 26.
Lezcano said Howard’s Hope responded well on his racing return.
“He performed perfectly,” Lezcano said. “I think Horacio did a very good job after that situation. I think this horse will improve, especially going longer."
Live racing resumes Thursday with an eight-race card at Belmont Park. First post is 12:40 p.m. Eastern.
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