Bigger Picture sets track record in United Nations upset
Bigger Picture slipped through inside to win the G1 United Nations Stakes over Can’thelpbelieving. Photo By Taylor Ejdys/EQUI-PHOTO
From a Monmouth Park release
Three Diamond Farm’s Bigger Picture sat patiently at the back of the pack through the first mile before finding an opening on the inside late in the lane and bursting through for a head victory in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park on Saturday in course record time of 2:10.81.
The post-time favorite, Beach Patrol (7-5) and second choice Itsinthepost (5-2) went head-to-head for nearly the first lap and a half of the mile and three eighths turf test before being overtaken by Can’thelpbelieving near the eighth pole. With Paco Lopez aboard, Can’thelpbelieving looked to be pulling away before the late run from the winner, who paid $23.40, $11.60 and $5.60 in the field of nine.
Can’thelpbelieving completed the $238.60 and returned $13.40 and $6.80. It was nearly two lengths back to Beach Patrol, who paid $3 to show.
“Joe (jockey Bravo) knows the place better than anyone and hats off to him for riding a great race,” said winning trainer Mike Maker. “I was getting a little concerned he wasn’t going to get a hole, but Joe did everything right. They went at it pretty good up front and that worked to our advantage. The Arlington Million (Aug. 12) is a possibility, but we’ll talk it over with the owner and make a decision. For now we’ll sit back and enjoy this one.”
A multiple Grade 3 winner, Saturday’s score was the first Grade 1 win for Bigger Picture, a 6-year-old gelding by Badge of Silver from the Honour and Glory mare Glory Dancer.
“The plan was to run out of there and let him find himself, but they were really smoking early,” Bravo said. “He’s an old horse, he knows how to run. I definitely didn’t expect to be that far back, but one he started running he was really rolling.”
The winner’s share of the $300,000 purse pushed Bigger Picture’s lifetime bankroll to $831,135. He bested the previous track record established in the 2009 United Nations by Presious Passion, who went the same distance in 2:10.97.
Live racing continues at Monmouth Park on Sunday, July 2 – gates open 11:30 a.m., first post 12:50 p.m.
