Minaret Station had to wait a few more minutes than usual after the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) Oct. 1 at Belmont Park ended, but the 4-year-old withstood a stewards' inquiry to gain his first grade 1 victory.
Far Bridge finished second and El Cordobes, who took the lead in the stretch but gave it up inside the final sixteenth, wound up third after jockey Flavien Prat had to take up in between the first two finishers.
Minaret Station, ridden by Jose Ortiz and trained by Will Walden, closed stoutly through the lane and won by a half-length. He finished the 1 1/2 miles in 2:28.18 and paid $13.72 to win.
Program Trading set the early fractions of :25.40, :51.37, and 1:16.92 with Pride of Arras chasing, but they were overtaken by the top three inside the final furlong.
Minaret Station is an OXO Equine homebred out of the Sir Prancealot mare and four-time grade 2 winner Beau Recall. He is the first grade 1 winner for his sire Instilled Regard , who stood this year at Taylor Made Stallions for $8,000.
This story will be updated.
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