Endorsed shoots for G1 glory in Met Mile; Journeyman seeks Eclipse Stakes crown

Endorsed goes for a first Graded victory in a deep renewal of the G1 Metropolitan Handicap, colloquially known as the Met Mile at the Belmont Park in US on Saturday.

The Medaglia d’Oro colt drops down half a furlong following an excellent performance in the G3 Westchester Stakes at the New York course on June 6, when he battled gamely to go down by half a length to multiple G1 winner Code Of Honor.

Endorsed (Joel Rosario) kept on well to comfortably win an allowance optional claimer, also over an extended mile at Oaklawn Park on May 2, on his first start since switching to Bill Mott.

The four-year-old, who was previously trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, has made three previous appearances at G1 level, headed by a closing fourth in the 10-furlong G1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga in August.

Godolphin US President Jimmy Bell said: “Bill Mott has taken his time with Endorsed since the horse joined him. Endorsed ran a huge race at Oaklawn Park and came back to finish a half-length second to Code Of Honor in the Westchester, when the first two came home six lengths clear.

“Bill thinks that this is a big opportunity for a horse to run in a race that can change a colt’s career. He feels that Endorsed has been training very well off two solid efforts and that the cut back to a mile is going to be within his scope.

“This race always seems to set up for a closer – Frosted was a notable exception – and it is usually pretty honest on the front-end. It may set up for a horse like Endorsed who can run just off the pace.

“It’s probably the biggest handicap of the year and Endorsed receives a lot of weight from a horse like McKinzie, which is not insignificant. He is training really well and it wouldn’t be surprising if he ran a big race.”

Elsewhere, four-year-old Journeyman returns to Graded company for the extended-mile G2 Eclipse Stakes on Tapeta at Woodbine on Saturday.

The son of Animal Kingdom heads back to Canada having been demoted to second for causing interference on his only previous Graded appearance in the 10-furlong G3 Canadian Derby at Century Mile in August.

Journeyman, who is trained by Eoin Harty and ridden by David Moran, captured a Polytrack maiden at Arlington in June, 2019, and makes his first start since staying on well to win a nine-furlong allowance optional claimer on turf at Tampa Bay Downs in February.

Eoin Harty said: “Unfortunately, Journeyman is lacking opportunities in America – he has won a couple of allowance races and so is forced to run against tougher competition, which is why he hasn’t run for a while.

“We have been looking for a spot to run and he looks fit, healthy and happy. He has run very well on a synthetic surface in the past and I think, if he runs like he has been training, he should go very well.”

Meanwhile, Listed scorer Summer Romance drops back down in class for the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes over an extended mile at Epsom Downs on Saturday.

The three-year-old filly ran a sound race on her seasonal return for Charlie Appleby when coming home eighth after breaking slowly in the G1 1,000 Guineas over a mile at Newmarket on June 7.

Summer Romance (William Buick) started out with two impressive victories over six furlongs in June last year, following up an easy Yarmouth maiden success with a comprehensive six-length win in Newmarket’s Listed Empress Stakes.

Charlie Appleby said: “Summer Romance produced a pleasing run in the 1,000 Guineas and came out of the race well. She is a Listed winner already and we feel that this is a nice opportunity to try and pick up a G3 race. Her preparation has been very straightforward and hopefully she will get conditions to suit at Epsom.”