Close second for Endorsed in Group 3 Westchester Stakes

Endorsed made an excellent Graded return as he was headed close home by dual G1 winner Code Of Honor in the extended-mile G3 Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park.

The Bill Mott-trained four-year-old, successful in an allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, 2 May, raced in mid-division of the nine runners initially before moving up to second on the inside rail under Joel Rosario at the halfway point.

Endorsed took up the running turning for home and kicked into a clear advantage at the top of the straight. The Medaglia d’Oro colt rallied when joined on his outside by Code Of Honor but was headed entering the final half-furlong to go down by half a length, with six lengths back to third home Forewarned on a muddy track.

Godolphin US President Jimmy Bell said: “Joel Rosario saved all the ground on the inside and gave Endorsed a clever ride. When you get beaten half a length by a Travers winner, it tells you what kind of category you are in. It was a very solid effort and we are very happy with him.

“We don’t really have a race picked out for Endorsed – the Met Mile and the Stephen Foster both come up too quickly. Bill likes to give him a little bit of time between races and I am sure that he will give Endorsed ample time to recover, so he is able to give his best performance when he goes out again.”

Meanwhile, Gran Alegria sprinted to an easy victory and denied favourite Almond Eye eighth Grade 1 win.

Ridden by Kenichi Ikezoe, Gran Alegria changed its gears and came from the middle of the pack to emerge winner.

Almond Eye did try in the end with a final stretch, but failed to deprive Gran Alegria of a much-deserved win.

Earlier, British champion jockey Oisin Murphy says he is afraid “to dream too big” but he will be forgiven if his reverie does include him and Kameko adding the Derby to the English 2000 Guineas.

 The 24-year-old Irishman’s first British classic success on Saturday could not have been more memorable as Kameko made history, posting the fastest time in the race which was first run in 1809.

 As a result, bookmakers installed Kameko as 3/1 favourite for the Derby.

 As thrilling as it was for Murphy to break his British classics duck he says there are two races that he wants to win above all others.

 One is the Derby, which ironically should have taken place on Saturday, but due to the coronavirus pandemic forcing the sport to shut down has been moved to July 4 at Epsom.

 “I am afraid to dream too big because often they don’t work out,” he said at the post-race press conference.

 “This victory is at the top so far as I am only 24. However, obviously the Arc (Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe) and Derby are my two favourite races and that has not changed.”

 Murphy, who is seen as the likeliest successor to superstar and good friend Frankie Dettori, both as a talent and a crowd-pleasing entertainer, says he would love to attempt the Derby but the decision is not in his hands.

 “I could not tell you whether he is an intended runner or not,” said Murphy.

 “However, the Sheikh (Fahad Al-Thani) is a sporting owner and Andrew (Balding, the trainer) would love to emulate his father (Ian).”

 Balding has already gone one better than his father in winning the Guineas -- Ian’s greatest horse Mill Reef losing to another legend of the turf Brigadier Gerard in 1971. The thought of adding the Derby -- a race his father and Mill Reef won after the Guineas disappointment -- could well prove irresistible to the 47-year-old.

Agencies