United Nations Stakes Odds and Betting Preview

by Patricia Woo | Jun 29 2009

On Saturday, July 4, turf runners 3 years old and up will take to the grass at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ, for the United Nations Stakes. A 1 3/8-mile Gr. 1 race with a $750,000 purse on the line, the United Nations Stakes is not only an important prep for the Breeders' Cup Turf event, but as a specially designated "Win and You're In" race, the winner will automatically be awarded a berth to the prestigious Breeders' Cup Turf. Among the potential starters are last year's defending champion Presious Passion, Gio Ponti and Brass Hat.

Presious Passion already has a United Nations Stakes title, beating out the even-money favorite as a long shot in 2008. He will attempt to reproduce his performance on Saturday, but unlike last year, his name will be among the more well-known. Presious Passion has had a tremendous start to his 2009 campaign: He has been in the money in all four starts this year - two wins and two runner-up finishes - and has been steadily improving. In his latest outing at Monmouth Park on June 13, the 6-year-old gelding trained by Mary Hartmann showed he could do more than just set the pace. After relinquishing his early lead, Presious Passion rallied in the stretch run to claim the $200,000 Monmouth Stakes title. A son of Royal Anthem, Presious Passion will look to capture a berth to the 2009 Breeders' Cup with a win on Saturday.

Possible for the United Nations Stakes is multiple Grade 1-stakes winning Gio Ponti, who is coming off a huge win in the $400,000 Gr. 1 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 6. This 4-year-old son of Tale of the Cat showed off his explosive finishing kick, charging past 11 rivals to claim top prize. Gio Ponti has demonstrated he can handle firm and yielding turf, as well as a variety of distances, from 1 mile to 1 1/4 mile; should he start, he will be among the favorites. Christophe Clement trains this colt for Castleton Lyons Farm and will be looking for his charge to add a third straight Grade 1 win to his already impressive resume.

Also coming off a tremendous effort in his last outing is Brass Hat, a venerable workhorse at age 8. Winless in 10 previous outings dating all the way back to 2007, this Buff Bradley trainee took a huge leap forward in the $111,800 Gr. 3 Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 23. He came all the way from sixth place to win in his preferred late-running style, showing he is still a fierce competitor and capable of graded stakes victories. Though Brass Hat's connections are considering the United Nations Stakes as his next target, returning to dirt surfaces is also an option.

In both 2006 and 2007, John Velazquez and his mount English Channel won the United Nations Stakes. Who will win this year's race? Bet on horse racing at Bodog Racebook!