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Mucho Macho Man returns a winner
The bay son of Macho Uno broke on top and received brief pressure before shaking loose on the backstretch. "We didn't have an established plan; we were just kind of playing it by ear," Dominguez said of his trip. "I wasn't going to be surprised if both the four (Gallant Fields) and the five (Southern Ridge) would go for the lead, but he broke superb and made the lead very much within himself, very easy. He was just on cruise control; turning for home he switched leads right and just took off again." Off as the 7-5 second choice among six rivals, Mucho Macho Man paid $4.90, $3.10 and $2.60. Gallant Fields rallied for second, 1 1/4 lengths better than third-placer Praetereo. Southern Ridge, the slight 7-5 favorite, came next in fourth and was followed by More Than a Reason and Silent Money. Mineswept was scratched. It was Mucho Macho Man's first win since taking the Grade 2 Risen Star in February at the Fair Grounds. Following that race, he finished third in both the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby and Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and was sixth in the Grade 1 Preakness prior to the Belmont. Ritvo, who trains Mucho Macho Man for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Dream Team One Racing Stable, said she has not yet looked beyond the comeback race. "We definitely have some options, but we'll wait to see how he comes out of the race and go from there." Mucho Macho Man now claims a win and two runner-up efforts at Aqueduct, having finished behind To Honor and Serve in both the Grade 2 Nashua and the Grade 2 Remsen a year ago. He has posted a record of 3-3-3 from 12 total starts and has earned $643,643. "It is wonderful to have him back," Dean Reeves said. "He looked very impressive out there today. He is a young three-year-old and Kathy (Ritvo) has done a tremendous job with him, by taking the time needed and allowing him to mature. We hope he is going to be a major player next year."
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