There are times when a race turns out to be as simple as it looks on paper.
Much to trainer Chad Brown's delight, the $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes (G2T) was one of those instances.
The seven-horse field appeared devoid of speed, so when jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. guided Kalik, one of Brown's three entrants in the about 1 1/8-mile grass stakes for 3-year-olds, to a comfortable early lead, there was much for the four-time Eclipse Award winner to like.
After controlling the pace through fractions of :24.69, :49.17, and 1:13.01 on firm turf, Robert La Penta, Madaket Stables, and e Five Racing Thoroughbreds' Kalik had plenty of energy left for the stretch drive as the son of Collected turned his stakes debut into a length victory over the well-bet Far Bridge and Silver Knott in the June 3 featured race at Belmont Park.
"We saw on paper it could end up this way," Brown said.
Kalik, along with Far Bridge and Sliver Knott, earned a guaranteed spot in the $750,000 Belmont Derby Invitational (G1T) July 8 at Belmont Park, though there could be a different scenario in the opening leg of the New York Racing Association's Turf Triple.
"I don't think he needs to be on the lead as he stretches out," Brown said.
While Kalik had yet to race in a stakes race before Saturday, he was the favorite among Brown's trio of starters and the 5-2 third choice in the field of seven.
Bred in Ontario by Peter Berglar Racing Interests, the produce of the Street Cry mare Coronation Street needed three tries to break his maiden. But then he followed up a nose win in his 3-year-old debut with a decisive 3 3/4-length score in a May 7 allowance optional claimer at Belmont when he showed early quickness for the first time.
Saturday's victory followed a similar script as his previous try. Kalik ($7.90) led at every call and spurted away to a 2 1/2-length lead in midstretch before crossing the wire in 1:47.85.
LSU Stables' Far Bridge had a rough trip while finishing second. After breaking from the outside post, the English Channel colt was steadied behind horses in the upper stretch and then darted in for running room. Based on the way he sliced 1 1/2 lengths off Kalik's lead in the final furlong despite the slow fractions, the longer 1 1/4-mile distance of the Belmont Derby may benefit him.
"I was concerned with the pace," trainer Todd Pletcher said about the runner-up from the May 6 American Turf (G2T) at Churchill Downs. "He closed well and the mile and a quarter should be fine for him."
Godolphin's Silver Knott returned to the United States for the first time since losing by a nose last fall in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T). The son of Lope de Vega showed some late life in rallying from last at the break, but could not reel in the winner and finished a head behind Far Bridge as the 3-2 favorite.
Bought for $200,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment, Kalik is the fourth of six foals from his dam. The half brother to grade 3 placed Bringer of Rain is the fourth of those foals to race and the third winner. Coronation Street also has produced a yearling Hard Spun filly and a 2023 full sister to Kalik.
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