Man Booker wins Birthday Stakes Listed $100,000 at Belmont Park, 1200m.
Fresh up from a last start Eye Liner Stakes win in mid June, Man Booker gave his nine opponents a start and ran them all down to score stakes win eight (12 career wins) in 27 starts.
He dropped back to last early and although not too far from the leader remained last to the home straight. Pulling widest, he still had eight runners to pass at the 200m then, one by one, picked them off, reached the lead inside the 50m and kept going to be a half length in front when it mattered.
Stageman sat midfield one off the rail passing the 800m, was right in behind the leading group turning in and saw racing room at the 300m. He surged through and grabbed the lead at the 100m but had to watch the winner breeze past.
Great Shot led them into the straight, tried to slip them but was caught at the 150m then held on for third.
Lady Cosmology tracked the leader into the straight, got through along the fence and ran on fairly well for fourth.
