Friday, July 15, 2016 |
Harlan's Hunch battled throughout and was nailed late inside the sixteenth pole to finish 2nd beaten a length in a maiden special weight race for two-year-olds, going 6 furlongs on the turf at Belmont yesterday afternoon VIDEO.
Breaking from the inside post, Harlan's Hunch bobbled after brushing the side of the starting gate and was away awkwardly. Jockey John Velazquez recovered in short order and gave Harlan's Hunch some light hand urging to challenge the pace.
With a head in front after an opening quarter mile in :22.46, Harlan's Hunch dueled down on the rail battling Helluva Choice (3) around the far turn while eventual winner, Harlan's Harmony tracked in third.
As they turned for home through a half mile in :44.79, Harlan's Hunch fended off Helluva Choice mid-stretch. However, Harlan's Harmony, who loomed throughout, found his best stride in the final stages and wrested the advantage from Harlan's Hunch late to win in a final time of 1:08.65 CHART.