Emcee runs away with Forego

The dark bay rebounded with a sharp 4 1/2-length allowance tally at

Belmont Park on May 5, but entered the Forego off a tough-luck third in the

Grade 1 A.G. Vanderbilt earlier in the Saratoga meet, disputing a wicked early

pace from an inside post before grudgingly giving way late to miss by only a

half-length.

Emcee broke from post 5 in the Forego and closely tracked pacesetter Pacific

Ocean on the outside through the opening stages.

"Had we been outside in the Vanderbilt, we might have been in a better spot,"

McLaughlin said. "I'm just happy to win with this horse. He deserved a Grade 1,

and he got it today."

The pace complexion of the Forego changed when the speedy Shackleford, a

multiple Grade 1 winner, was scratched Saturday morning due to a cough.

"We felt earlier this morning that Shackleford might be there ahead of us

with (Pacific Ocean) and we would lay third, but we laid second," McLaughlin

said. "It helped that we don't have to run against (Shackleford); he's a very

nice horse. I'm sorry that they had to scratch him. When (Jersey Town) cut up

the rail, I was a little nervous, but (Garcia) hadn't asked our horse yet. It

was a very impressive race."

Pacific Ocean established splits in :22 3/5 and :45 1/5, but came off the

rail turning for home, allowing Jersey Town to surge to a narrow lead in upper

stretch. That rival completed six furlongs in 1:08 4/5 with a head advantage,

but Emcee had all the momentum on the far outside and quickly seized command

after passing the eighth pole, drawing off in superb fashion late.

"It's an honor to train for Godolphin and to have such quality horses,"

McLaughlin said. "It makes my job easier, but I have a great team of people

behind me, and it's been an unbelievable meet. It's hard to even believe. It

will take some time to sink in."

"He's a deserving Grade 1 winner," Godolphin's Jimmy Bell said of Emcee. "He

exploded home. He was primed; Kiaran and the team did a super job, and he

delivered on the right day.

"The thrill is still the same," Bell added when asked about Godolphin's

success this meet. "Every now and then it seems like the stars align and

everything has really, really come together."

Bred in Kentucky by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation, Emcee is out of the

winning Ocean Crest mare Surf Club, the dam of stakes winner Spring Party and a

half-sister to Grade 1 winner Awesome Humor, an earner of nearly $850,000.

Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com