Measured Time wins the Gr.1 Manhattan Stakes

Frankel colt Measured Time, already a Group 1 winner in Dubai earlier this year, added the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes to his record at Saratoga on Saturday (8th June).

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 9th June 2024, by Alan Carasso:

The immaculately bred Measured Time came away late to best a classy field in the Gr.1 Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga. n Dubai. Ridden aggressively from gate nine, this year's Gr.1 Jebel Hatta hero - a latest fourth and beaten just over a length in the Gr.1 Dubai Turf on 30th March - led the Manhattan field under the wire for the first time, but Buick had left the inside open and longshot Strong Quality clipped the hedge to take up the running at the first corner. Buick was content to cede the advantage, all the while keeping Measured Time at the saddle towel of Strong Quality, and the pace dropped away a bit through the middle stages.

Favoured Program Trading slipstreamed his chief market rival and when Buick allowed Measured Time to assume command at the three-eighths, Flavien Prat began to feel for the last-out Gr.1 Turf Classic winner and produced him three deep into the lane with every chance if good enough. Measured Time cornered wide into the stretch as stablemate Nations Pride, winner of the Gr.1 Saratoga Derby here two summers ago, began to find his best stride, but Measured Time was kept to task and raced clear. Far Bridge and Ohana Honor deadheated for third.

"It's been a long weekend," trainer Charlie Appleby admitted. "Things didn't go right with our other horses. At the end of the day he [Measured Time] was a class horse going into a Grade I. They're all finding their way in the Grade Is. As we know, at this level you can't really have any faults."

"We've earmarked this for some time thinking that the American tracks would suit him. Obviously, we saw what he did in Dubai. Those kind of tracks, nice level tracks, suit him."

Winning jockey William Buick commented: "It was always the plan to go forward, sit forward. He's a horse you never feel like you are going quick enough, so I was happy where I was. He was a bit competitive early on, but I always felt he was in a nice rhythm, and he's a real powerful galloper, as you saw there. He's still got a bit to learn, like he ran out on the home bend and it doesn't feel like he's a finished article just yet, but he sure has the raw talent."

Appleby indicated that Measured Time could potentially take in a race like the Gr.1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs in a couple months' time.