Close second for Endorsed in G3 Westchester Stakes

Endorsed made an excellent Graded return as he was headed close home by dual G1 winner Code Of Honor in the extended-mile G3 Westchester Stakes at Belmont Park, USA, on Saturday, 6 June.

The Bill Mott-trained four-year-old, successful in an allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park on Saturday, 2 May, raced in mid-division of the nine runners initially before moving up to second on the inside rail under Joel Rosario at the halfway point.

Endorsed took up the running turning for home and kicked into a clear advantage at the top of the straight. The Medaglia d’Oro colt rallied when joined on his outside by Code Of Honor but was headed entering the final half-furlong to go down by half a length, with six lengths back to third home Forewarned on a muddy track.

Godolphin USA President Jimmy Bell said: “Joel Rosario saved all the ground on the inside and gave Endorsed a clever ride. When you get beaten half a length by a Travers winner, it tells you what kind of category you are in. It was a very solid effort and we are very happy with him.

“We don’t really have a race picked out for Endorsed – the Met Mile and the Stephen Foster both come up too quickly. Bill likes to give him a little bit of time between races and I am sure that he will give Endorsed ample time to recover, so he is able to give his best performance when he goes out again.”