Flintshire given green light for Manhattan return
Chad Brown confirmed that multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Flintshire will make his seasonal debut in the $1 million Manhattan (G1) on Belmont Stakes Day following an encouraging bullet breeze on Belmont Park's inner turf on Saturday morning.
A two-time runner-up in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) in France, Flintshire worked five furlongs over the firm grass in 1:00.60, the fastest of 18 at the distance and his fifth regular breeze since he joined the trainer's barn earlier this spring.
"I am going to run Flintshire," Brown said of the Manhattan. "He's been doing fine. He's been working well and his work this morning was outstanding. He showed me today that he's ready to go. The horse couldn't be any better. He gets the green light."
Flintshire, who earned a 116 BRIS Speed Rating for his 2 1/2-length victory in his only other North American career start in the Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga last August, is one of three likely candidates for Brown in the Manhattan. Brown's expected contingent includes reigning champion grass horse Big Blue Kitten and Man o' War (G1) hero Wake Forest, who breezed an easy five furlongs on the turf in 1:04 Saturday.
"Wake Forest worked well this morning and is likely to run," Brown said. "He's coming off a perfect race in the Man o' War. He's had a couple of maintenance works since the race and they've gone well, so he'll run back."
Brown added that Slumber, winner of the 2015 Manhattan, and Man o' War runner-up Money Multiplier remain possible for the Manhattan but could be steered towards the United Nations (G1) at Monmouth Park July 3.
(NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography)
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