Main Sequence returns to defend United Nations title

One year ago, dual Eclipse Award winner Main Sequence (Aldebaran) began his

inexorable march through the U.S. turf scene by capturing his American debut in

the $500,000

United Nations (G1) at Monmouth. On Sunday, the Niarchos Family's homebred

returns in the same spot, hoping to re-start his 2015 campaign after a

disappointing loss in Dubai.

Main Sequence is unbeaten in five U.S. starts for trainer Graham Motion, all

accomplished with his flair for a dramatic, up-in-time finish. Off for eight

months after his repatriation from Europe in the winter of 2013-14, he

resurfaced in the 2014 United Nations and flew late to deny Twilight Eclipse

(Purim). His ensuing victories in the Sword Dancer Invitational (G1), Joe Hirsch

Turf Classic Invitational (G1) and Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) earned him not only

an Eclipse Award as champion turf male, but also the champion older male crown.

After reappearing triumphant in the February 21 Mac Diarmida (G2) at

Gulfstream, where he defeated Twilight Eclipse for the fifth straight time, Main

Sequence carried high hopes into the March 28 Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1). But

he faded after a wide trip, and a middle move, and wound up seventh.

Main Sequence was freshened upon his return home, and Motion has been pleased

with his recent works at Fair Hill.

In addition to familiar foes Twilight Eclipse and Imagining (Giant's

Causeway), Main Sequence will also face the Chad Brown duo of Slumber (Cacique)

and Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy) and streaking Southern California shipper

Ashleyluvssugar (Game Plan).

Slumber has awakened since joining Brown late last year, with the application

of blinkers conjuring up a career-best in the June 6 Manhattan H. (G1) at

Belmont. Overlooked at 14-1, the seven-year-old finally earned a big prize when

driving to a 2 3/4-length decision over favored stablemate Big Blue Kitten.

Big Blue Kitten, a fellow seven-year-old, seeks to regain the United Nations

title he won back in 2013. The Ken and Sarah Ramsey homebred has yet to scale

the heights of that campaign, when he also captured the Sword Dancer and missed

by a whisker in the Joe Hirsch. The honest and dependable type has nevertheless

run well in the interim, and he kicked off 2015 with a convincing score in the

May 2 Fort Marcy (G3). But he's got work to do to turn the tables on the

resurgent Slumber, as well as Main Sequence, Twilight Eclipse and Imagining.

One race earlier at Monmouth, Race Day (Tapit) aims to continue his ascent in

the handicap division in the $150,000

Salvator Mile (G3).

The Pletcher pupil has won five of his last six, his lone loss in that span a

close third to Valid (Medaglia d'Oro) in the February 7 Fred Hooper (G3). The

lightly raced four-year-old then successfully invaded Hot Springs, where he

battled to a narrow victory in the March 14 Razorback (G3) and drew off

commandingly in the April 11 Oaklawn H. (G2). Race Day has been unraced since

then, but his bullet works of late imply he's ready. Hall of Famer John

Velazquez has the return call.

Other contenders include the aforementioned Valid, who hasn't won since the

Hooper and exits a second to the re-opposing Red Vine (Candy Ride) in the local

prep, the Majestic Light; Bradester (Lion Heart), runner-up in last year's

Salvator Mile to Itsmyluckyday and to Valid in the 2014 Monmouth Cup (G2); and

millionaire Pants on Fire (Jump Start), who's eligible to rebound from an

uncharacteristic seventh in the June 6 Metropolitan H. (G1).