Program Trading runs down longshot Thundering in Listed Knickerbocker
Klaravich Stables’ multiple Grade 1-winner Program Trading rallied up the inside under Dylan Davis to run down 35-1 longshot Thundering and win Saturday’s Listed $175,000 Knickerbocker, a 1 3/16-mile inner turf test for 3-year-olds and up, at Belmont Park.
The victory added to an already successful day for five-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stables, who sent out Ways and Means to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland. Brown also captured the Grade 1 Filly and Mare Turf with Kathynmarissa for owners Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb.
“Thank God he stayed on the rail and rode it because he needed every inch saved,” said Lee Vickers, assistant to Brown. “They absolutely crawled but luckily we were close enough that we got the job done. Saving ground ultimately helped leaving the one-hole.”
Program Trading exited post 1 alertly and settled into a joint third position to the inside of Cugino while Thundering set an opening quarter-mile of 25.49 seconds over the firm turf.
“There wasn’t a lot of speed in here and from the one-hole I wanted to break the best I could, stay straight and save that ground,” said Davis. “Even though they slowed it down, I was in a good spot.”
Program Trading saved ground through fractions of 51.85 and 1:16.61 with West Hollywood applying mild pressure to Thundering as he set a tepid pace under Jorge Ruiz.
At the top of the lane, Program Trading was hemmed in behind Thundering and inside West Hollywood, with Davis looking for daylight. After one mile in 1:39.67, a seam opened along the rail and Program Trading closed in on a game Thundering.
“I rode the rail the whole second turn and Ruiz ended up having quite a bit of horse and opened up that inside spot,” Davis said. “I had some options – inside, outside – they ended up drifting out late there and creating that gap.”
In the final jumps, Program Trading put his neck in front of Thundering and stopped the clock in 1:56.47.
“Man, he was tough to run down. I think if I didn’t ride that type of race, I would lose,” Davis said of his ground-saving trip.
Cugino finished three-quarter-lengths back in third, with West Hollywood completing the superfecta. A Bourbon for Toby, Carson’s Run and Tiz Dashing rounded out the order of finish. Carcano and Ole Crazy Bone were scratched.
Program Trading made his last two efforts over 1 1/2 miles in Grade 1 company, landing third in the Christophe Clement Turf in August at Saratoga Race Course and fourth in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic last out on October 1 here. The 6-year-old Lope de Vega ridgling previously won the Grade 2 United Nations in July at Monmouth Park.
Program Trading’s trio of Grade 1 wins came in the 2023 Saratoga Derby Invitational at Saratoga Race Course, the 2023 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar and the 2024 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs.
Ruiz said the Derek Ryan-trained Thundering was game in defeat.
“I went to the lead and went slowly but maybe the number five [West Hollywood] put the pressure on too early - the race is the race, we tried,” Ruiz said. “Maybe if he doesn’t pressure me, we win the race.”
Bred in England by Fittocks Stud and Arrow Farm and Stud, Program Trading was purchased for $356,551 from Book One of the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He is out of the winning Oasis Dream mare Dreamlike, a full-sister to stakes-placed Fashion Fund and a half-sister to Silk Sari.
Program Trading banked $96,250 in victory while improving his record to 18-8-3-2 with over $2.2 million in earnings. He returned $3.70 for a $2 win bet.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont Park with an 11-race card headlined by the Grade 3, $200,000 Forty Niner in Race 9 and the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler in Race 2. The lucrative program also features the Listed $175,000 Turnback the Alarm [Race 8], $175,000 Casa Creed [Race 10] and state-bred $175,000 Notebook [Race 4]. First post is 11:30 a.m. Eastern.
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