Chelsea Durand Photo

Pat On the Back earns kudos in Affirmed Success

by Keith McCalmont

Pat On the Back, expertly handled by Dylan Davis, was next to last at the top of the lane before powering home full of run to capture Opening Day Friday's $100,000 Affirmed Success, a six-furlong sprint for older New York-breds at Belmont Park.

Trained by Jeremiah Englehart for owners Harold Lerner, AWC Stables and Nehoc Stables, Pat On the Back, slow from the gate, settled in fifth position in a compact field of six as Sudden Surprise zipped through an opening quarter-mile in 21.88 seconds over a sloppy and sealed main track.

Sudden Surprise maintained his lead into the turn under pressure from Eye Luv Lulu, last year's Affirmed Success winner, ticking off a half-mile in 44.92. Bavaro, saving ground along the rail from third, angled outside of Eye Luv Lulu late in the turn and loomed large as Sudden Surprise clung to a precarious lead while Davis continued his patient approach with Pat On the Back racing next to last.

Eye Luv Lulu continued to find more as the field straightened away, but Pat On the Back, with an explosive turn of foot, rallied resolutely along the rail to secure a 1 1/4-length score in a final running time of 1:10.75.

Davis said he was hopeful for a quick pace to help set up the late-closing 5-year-old son of Congrats.

"This distance wasn't really his best suit, but I just didn't want to get too far away from the pack. I knew the pace was going to be pretty quick today," said Davis. "I broke slow and then I got squeezed out of there and from then on, I had to really ride him.

"I didn't want to lose too much ground from the pack, but from that position I had to stay on him most of the race," continued Davis. "There was a point where the rail was okay. It wasn't my first choice. I wanted to come off of it, but that was my only option to not stop his momentum."

Eye Luv Lulu stayed on strong to complete the exacta, a length in front of Syndergaard. Completing the order of finish were Sudden Surprise, Bavaro and Celtic Chaos. Runaway Lute and Tribecca were scratched.

Jose Lezcano, aboard Eye Luv Lulu, was pleased with the response from the talented 8-year-old, who now boasts $849,379 in career earnings.

"He gave me a very good effort. I really can't complain. We just came up against a tough horse who came running at the end," said Lezcano.

Bred in New York by Sugar Maple Farm, Pat On the Back banked $55,000 enhancing his earnings to $814,032.

The Affirmed Success was the sixth stakes win for Pat On the Back, who improved his record to 7-4-4 from 23 career starts. He paid $8.50 to win.

Live racing resumes on Saturday at Belmont Park with a nine-race card, highlighted by the $125,000 Elusive Quality. First post is 1:30 p.m.