Handicapping the Manhattan Stakes (G1) brings to mind an old-fashioned wrestling tag-team match.
Program Trading
Nine will contest the grassy Manhattan Stakes
In one corner is the duo from the Chad Brown barn: I’m Very Busy and Program Trading. Across the ring are trainer Charlie Appleby’s pair of Nations Pride and Measured Time.
Who will be the victor standing in the winner’s circle on Saturday at Saratoga? The Manhattan on the turf is the penultimate contest prior to the Belmont Stakes (G1) and with four of the nine entrants, Brown and Appleby will carve up the outcome.
Five weeks ago, in the race prior to the Kentucky Derby (G1), Program Trading outdueled Appleby’s Naval Power by a head in the Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs for his fifth win in six starts.
Flavien Prat to Ride Favorite Program Trading in Key Race
Program Trading is the 5-2 favorite in the 1 3/16 miles race over the Mellon turf course. As usual, Flavien Prat will be aboard.
Program Trading is more tactical than stablemate I’m Very Busy (9-2 on the morning line) who is a deep closer. Program Trading prefers a stalking trip, keeping the pacesetters in sight throughout.
He has already proven the course suits him, having won the Saratoga Derby (G1) at this same distance last summer.
As usual, the Appleby duo brings a wealth of international experience to the bout with the pair of Godolphin homebreds.
Measured Time and Nations Pride Headline Manhattan Stakes Field
Measured Time, the 7-2 second choice from the outside post, missed by less than two lengths most recently in the $5 million Dubai Turf (G1) in late March.
Nations Pride (9-2) has earned Grade 1 victories in three different countries. Like Program Trading, he is a Saratoga Derby winner, having captured the 2022 edition.
So, will it be Brown, who has won this race a record eight times? Or does Appleby continue to shine with his well-bred European-based runners?
The Manhattan is one of five Grade 1 races leading up to the Belmont. The others are the Woody Stephens, the Ogden Phipps, the Jaipur, and the Met Mile.
The picks: 1 Measured Time 2 Program Trading 3 Nations Pride