Master Piece Holds Back Favorite Ottoman Fleet In Fort Marcy Thriller

Master Piece (CHI), under an artful ride by Dylan Davis, staved off the late bid of defending race winner Ottoman Fleet to capture Saturday’s $200,000 Fort Marcy (G2), a 1 1/8-mile inner turf test for older horses, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Rick Dutrow for owners Michael Iavarone, Julia Iavarone, Nicholas Zoumas, and Frank Argano, the 8-year-old Mastercraftsman gray picked up his second Grade 2 score at the Big A after taking the 1 3/8-mile Red Smith in November.

Ottoman Fleet, who arrived from a successful title defense in the Earl of Sefton (G3) on April 17 at Newmarket, bobbled at the start under jockey Richard Mullen but recovered quickly to settle in fourth of five runners as Pioneering Spirit led the field through an opening quarter-mile in :25.02 over the firm going.

Pioneering Spirit led the way down the backstretch as Master Piece saved ground in third to the inside of Olympic Dreams through a half-mile in :50.16 and three-quarters in 1:13.80. Mullen asked Ottoman Fleet to make a wide run through the final turn, quickly overtaking the field to assume a brief advantage with three-sixteenths remaining, but Master Piece was also in full flight under Davis.

Ottoman Fleet ducked out once straightened for home and a game Master Piece drove through the gap to the outside of the retreating Pioneering Spirit and took command. Mullen straightened his charge and took aim at the new leader, but Master Piece would not be denied the diminishing neck score in a final time of 1:48.68.

It was a further 2 3/4-lengths back to Pioneering Spirit with Limited Liability and Olympic Dreams rounding out the order of finish. Atone, Exact Estimate and Siege of Boston, who finished sixth in the Turf Classic (G1) Saturday at Churchill Downs, were scratched.

Davis said acquiring a close-up stalking position was key in the compact field.

“I knew with the short field that they would slow it down pretty good, so I was happy with the position I got,” Davis said. “I knew the favorite was behind me, so I was just trying to make sure I got a good spot, turning for home.”

Davis said Master Piece was game to battle back after being swooped by Ottoman Fleet late in the turn.

“They got good momentum on me, I thought we were in trouble there, but once he switched to the right lead, he was super game,” Davis said. “I loved what I saw. Dutrow did a great job today. I loved the fight in him down the stretch.”

Mullen guided Ottoman Fleet to a smart score in this event last year when it was held at Belmont Park, rushing up the rail to win by 1 3/4-lengths. The multiple Group 1-winning rider said the moderate pace hampered his chances at a repeat.

“He likes a decent gallop to run at. We kind of had to ride the race differently because down the back they slowed it right up,” Mullen said. “I probably attacked the race earlier than I’d liked to but under circumstances, I had to do that. He just rolled around in front. In fairness to him, he’s quickened up and the winner quickened again, and when he got into a battle and the winner has gone again and he just outbattled me.”

The victory marked the second graded stakes win of the weekend here for Dutrow, who won Friday’s Westchester (G3) with Messier. Master Piece previously won a Group 2 in his native Chile along with a 3 1/4-length win in the 2022 Eddie Read Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. He arrived from a third-place finish on April 6 in a Keeneland allowance.

Bred in Chile by Haras Don Alberto for the Proud Citizen mare Torre Laguna (CHI), Master Piece banked $110,000 in victory while improving his record to 29-8-4-2. He returned $7 for a $2 win bet.