'He's the best horse in America right now' - Vekoma stars in Metropolitan

The George Weaver-trained Vekoma produced a fine front-running performance to land the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont, setting up a potential tilt at the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Sent off the 9-5 second favourite, Vekoma maintained his lead all the way to the line, seeing off Network Effect with a length and a quarter to spare. Code Of Honor was a neck behind in third.

"He was always this good," Weaver said. "The only blip on his resume is the Derby and that wasn't his day. Plus the mile and a quarter is probably a tad too long for him. The track was really gluey and he didn't show up. Other than that, he's been a freak."

"There are some marquee races on the calendar in New York and this is at the top of the list."

It was a sixth win from eight starts for the Candy Ride colt, who was purchased for $135,000 at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Winning owner Randy Hill added: "It's the biggest win of my life. To get two Grade 1s this year, after winning just one in 20 years, these are the things you dream about when you get in the game. It's like winning the lottery.

"What a horse. Without a doubt he's the best horse in America right now. There's nobody better than this horse."

Instilled Regard holds on for Manhattan strike

Instilled Regard notched up the first top-level success of his career with a gritty win in the Manhattan Stakes.

The son of Arch had hit the board in three Grade 1 events previously, but overcame traffic problems and the fast-finishing Rockemperor to score by a neck.

"He saved all the energy until the end," said winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. "When I asked him for it, he gave it. I had to work so hard but when I tipped him out, he responded so well. I knew I had a chance to get there, and he got there on time."

Trainer Chad Brown, who trained the winner and runner-up, added: "Both jockeys did a great job and both horses responded super. It's unfortunate one of them had to lose. In the end, Instilled Regard just made the last move of the chess match. I'm so proud of the horse. He keeps getting better."

It was a sixth win in the race for Brown, who teamed up with Ortiz last year to strike with Bricks And Mortar.

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