Ground-Saving Highland Chief (IRE) Holds on to Win Sycamore

Mrs. Fitri Hay’s homebred Highland Chief (IRE), benefiting from a ground-saving ride from John Velazquez, took the lead in the upper stretch and then held off Temple by a length to win the 28^th running of the $300,000 Sycamore (G3) for 3-year-olds and up.

Trained by Graham Motion, Highland Chief covered the mile and a half on a firm turf course in 2:28.87. The victory is the fourth in the race for Motion, who won with Holiday Star in 2014 and 2015 and with Sanagas (GER) in 2011.

Accredit led the field of 12 through fractions of :25.31, :50.20, 1:15.49 and 1:40.82 with Channel Maker in closest pursuit and Highland Chief racing just behind the leaders while racing next to the rail.

Accredit led the field to the top of the stretch where he raced into the three path. The move allowed Velazquez to send Highland Chief through the opening, where he quickly took command and established enough of a cushion to hold off Temple at the finish.

Highland Chief is a 5-year-old son of Gleneagles (IRE) out of the Montjeu (IRE) mare Pink Symphony. Winner of the Man o’ War (G1) in May, Highland Chief earned $141,438 with the victory and boosted his career earnings to $708,300 with a record of 15-4-2-2.

Highland Chief returned $15.32, $7.66 and $5.38. Temple, ridden by Umberto Rispoli, returned $19.68 and $11.40 and finished a neck in front of Highest Honors, who paid $6.22 to show under Tyler Gaffalione.

It was another nose back to Channel Maker, who was followed in order by Balthus (IRE), favored Mira Mission, Cellist, Red Knight, Arklow, Accredit, Admission Office and British Royalty.

Racing continues Saturday with a 10-race program that begins at 1 p.m. ET. Headlining the program is the $600,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) Presented by Dixiana for 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/18 miles on the turf. The stakes is the afternoon’s ninth race with a 5:16 p.m. post time.