1st-Belmont, $75,000, Msw, 10-26, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.72, ft.
FORZA DI ORO (c, 2, Speightstown–Filare l'Oro {SW & GSP, $, by Hard Spun) was favored throughout the betting but the recipient of late money that saw his starting price tumble down to 4-5 at post time, and proved his backers right with a deceptively easy victory in the Belmont opener Saturday. A debut second after he dwelt at the gate and spotting his rivals the better part of 10 lengths Sept. 11, the chestnut didn't look entirely comfortable in stall one this time around either and hopped a bit at the break, but it wasn't nearly as costly, as he settled right on the back of the pace set by Bourbon Rising (Uncle Mo) and second choice Mandatory (American Pharoah). Full of run and waited with behind the leading trio turning for home, Forza di Oro was ultimately steered out and into the four path at the three-sixteenths and out-finished Brother Brad (Commissioner) by a measured 3/4 of a length. Final time for the mile and a sixteenth was 1:42.72. Don Alberto acquired this colt's SW & GSP dam for $410,000 in foal to Tapit at the 2013 Keeneland November sale and that produce became dual Grade III winner Silver Dust, MGSW, $642,277. Filare l'Oro is a half-sister to Korean champion Cheongdam Dokki (To Honor and Serve), MGSW Gouldings Green (Charismatic) and GSP Baby Bird (Cape Town) and is represented by a yearling half-brother by the Don Alberto part-owned Empire Maker. She was most recently bred to Frosted. Sales history: $325,000 RNA Ylg '18 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $56,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Don Alberto Stable; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-William I. Mott.
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