European raiders were out of luck behind the ex-Irish Ciro in the Lawrence Realization Handicap at Belmont Park last night.
Paul Cole`s Sailing and the Dermot Weld-trained Grand Finale both finished unplaced in the 12-furlong contest.
The one concern trainer Christophe Clement had when he entered Ciro in the US150,000 event was whether the three-year-old son of Woodman would be able to stay the mile and a half.
Although he had shown smart form on his American debut in the Secretariat Stakes at Arlington Park by beating King Cugat, Ciro had been beaten on his two attempts at 12 furlongs when in the care of Aidan O`Brien at Ballydoyle. He had finished sixth in the French Derby and third in the Irish Derby.
Clement`s stamina fears proved groundless as Ciro scored in good style by two and a half lengths from Whata Brainstorm to make it two wins from two starts in the United States.
'Today, I wanted him to show me he could stay the distance on soft ground,' Clement told the Thoroughbred Times. 'He ran a big race.'
Clement said he would try to map out a plan to get Ciro to the Breeders` Cup.
Following Whata Brainstorm were Lodge Hill, Polish Miner, Avowed, Cardinal Verse, Rob`s Spirit, Grand Finale, Sailing, and Dawn Of The Condor. -PA
