Win a classified bet at Racecourse Saratoga Always a special moment.
However, for Dean Reeves, Man City The July 15 win in the Forbidden Apple Stakes (G3T) $175,000-a-mile win checked more than one of the proverbial boxes.
Not only is Man City of Reeves and Peter and Patty Searles a hybrid of New York State, he is also a 5-year-old son of Mucho Macho Man who won the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) championship for Reeves and who received considerable support from Reeves in his breeding career.
CITY MAN sneaks through the field with @JRosarioJockey in The Forbidden Apple (G3) for @clementtable #Saratoga pic.twitter.com/1GLr58AVJI
– NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) July 15, 2022
Reeves also owns Man City’s full sister, a girl full of desire to be dubbed Miss City Girl.
From anyone’s vantage point, that’s a pretty convenient set of achievements for a single Spa lawn.
“I’m happy that Man City won according to the odds,” said Reeves, who raced under the flag of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. “This horse is talented and we’ve won some big New York races with it, but letting it come out into the open is really a blessing. It’s moving forward and I wouldn’t put the Breeders’ Cup out of question.”
Raised by Moonstar Farm from City Zip mare City Scamper, Man City won four state-owned or open-ended stakes before scoring his initial classified stake to coach Christophe Clement, lifting the record. His career to 6-4-3 in 22 games started with earnings of $653,050.
Purchased for $185,000 from Off the Hook shipment at Ocala Breeders’ Spring 2019 Sale in Training, his 2022 model includes a strong win in Dangerous Hour shares are listed at Aqueduct race track in his 5-year-old debut. But that was masked by an 18-game loss on a boggy course at Fort Marcy Stakes (G2T) 2-1 and then a rough ride as the seventh came out at Kingston Stakes on May 30 for the state team.
“I feel based on what he did at the Aqueduct, when he exploded home, if a hole opened, he would kick in, but I don’t expect what he did here, ‘ said Reeves. “A mile hit him just right.”
As the fourth of eight ponies from City Scamper, he was the winner of her only bet. A filly by Vino Rosso born earlier this year is her youngest pony, and the girl who aspires to be dubbed the City Girl is the girl whose Reeves talks in an upbeat voice.
“She looks like (her full brother) Man City and that’s why we’re really excited,” said Reeves. “I know the breeders (Moonstar Ranch) who are excited to see (Man City) win. They are great friends and have done an excellent job raising these horses.”
The Forbidden Apple resulted in a cavalry attack in this stretch, with six horses less than two lengths apart, but it was shot 12-1 by Man City ($26.60) and the charioteer Joel Rosario, who burst through the herd to take charge of the sixteenth column and pulled off a 2 3/4 in 1:33.76 length score on solid grass.
“(Man City) last time was very unlucky,” said Clement, who drew extra satisfaction from coaching Forbidden Apple. “He was stuck. It worked out today. It was a great trip. He’s been a bit unlucky lately, so glad he had a good trip.”
Three Diamonds Farm’s Redemption one Into Mischief gelding trained by Mike Maker, second to Klaravich Stables’ Public area one King The ponies were trained by Chad Brown, who was a 5-2 second pick.
Set piece 2-1 favorites, fifth after a slow break and followed in field 11.
Video: Ban Apple S. (G3T)
