Manhattan Stakes Preview

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Manhattan Stakes Preview: Brown Seeks Ninth Win Against Appleby’s Elite

The prestigious Manhattan Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga Race Course is set to feature an exceptional field, with five Grade 1 winners among the nine contenders. Trainers Chad Brown and Charlie Appleby bring their top horses to compete in the $1 million, 1 3/16-mile turf race, promising a must-see contest for horse racing enthusiasts looking to bet on horses.

Chad Brown: The Dominant Force

Chad Brown, a name synonymous with success in the Manhattan Stakes, aims to secure his ninth victory in this event. This year, Brown’s standout entry is Program Trading, the 5-2 morning-line favorite. 

The 4-year-old son of Lope de Vega has an impressive record, with five wins and a second from six-lifetime starts. Program Trading’s recent victories in the Turf Classic Stakes at Churchill Downs and the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar underline his top form.

“It was a very big effort off the layoff last time,” Brown remarked. “I’ve seen the horse really come out of his race in good shape.”

Flavien Prat will ride Program Trading, breaking from post 5, adding further confidence to those considering the Belmont Stakes odds for the Manhattan.

Brown also fields I’m Very Busy, a Grade 2 winner. Despite an unplaced finish in the Turf Classic, the 4-year-old son of Cloud Computing previously won the Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes and finished second in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes. I’m Very Busy, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., will break from post 1.

Charlie Appleby: A Global Powerhouse

Charlie Appleby, the head trainer for Godolphin, has made an indelible mark on international racing. With ten Breeders’ Cup winners and numerous Grade 1 victories, Appleby’s influence is profound. This year, he brings a formidable team to the Manhattan Stakes, with Nations Pride and Measured Time leading the charge.

Nations Pride, a multiple Grade 1 winner, has shown exceptional form in New York, winning the Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes and the Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes in 2022. Coming off a third-place finish in the Man o’ War Stakes at Aqueduct, Nations Pride is poised to make a strong bid. Frankie Dettori will ride from post 7, enhancing the colt’s chances.

“Nations Pride ran a good, solid race in his last start,” Appleby noted. “He will definitely come forward.”

Appleby’s second entry, Measured Time, is a 7-2 morning-line second choice making his U.S. debut. The 4-year-old son of Frankel has an impressive track record, with a notable victory in the Jebel Hatta at Meydan Racecourse. William Buick, a trusted jockey for Appleby, will guide Measured Time from post 9.

A Battle of Titans

The Manhattan Stakes promises a clash of top-tier talents. Chad Brown’s dominance in this race is well-documented, but Charlie Appleby’s international prowess brings a new level of competition. Analyze the field and take into consideration that the presence of these graded stakes winners adds a new layer to this competition.