Avanzado captures Forest Hills
October 7, 2002
By David Grening
Daily Racing Form
ELMONT, N.Y. - After giving his connections a scary moment, Avanzado gave them something to think about with a three-quarters of a length victory in Sunday's Grade 2, $250,000 Forest Hills Handicap at Belmont Park.
The victory was Avanzado's third in as many tries since coming to this country from his native Argentina. Avanzado is not nominated to the Breeders' Cup, and it would cost owner Michael Cooper $200,000 to supplement for the $1 million Sprint on Oct. 26 at Arlington Park.
"We'll have to give it a lot of thought," said Cooper, who did not want to commit to anything in the euphoria of the moment.
Before euphoria there was anxiety for Cooper, trainer Doug O'Neill and especially jockey Tyler Baze, who was riding his first mount at Belmont. After breaking on top, Avanzado sat off Sunray Spirit through an opening half-mile in 45.78 seconds. Turning for home, Avanzado made the lead, and appeared to be easily holding Dash for Daylight at bay through the lane. But a few jumps before the wire, Avanzado took a few awkward steps, causing Baze to lose an iron. Baze held on, as did Avanzado, who covered six furlongs in 1:11.00 and returned $5 as the favorite.
"He dug his feet into the ground and I almost went over his head," Baze said. "I was lucky to stay on."
According to O'Neill, Avanzado made a similar move with an exercise rider at almost the same spot on the track while galloping at Belmont earlier in the week.
"My rider thinks it was the 'Belmont Park' sign on the inside of the track," O'Neill said. "That was scary."
O'Neill seemed more anxious to run in an invitational sprint race in Hong Kong than the Breeders' Cup.
"He ran a lot of his races in Argentina on straightaways and I think the race in Hong King is on a straightaway," O'Neill said.
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