April 26, 2024

Majestic Dunhill, Share the Ride set for Fall Highweight rematch

Majestic Dunhill
Majestic Dunhill wins the Bold Ruler Stakes (Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand)

Separated by a head in the Bold Ruler H. (G3) on Halloween, Majestic Dunhill and Share the Ride could have a rematch Sunday in the $100,000 Fall Highweight H. (G3) at Aqueduct, for which both were assigned 133 pounds.

A slight favorite over Majestic Dunhill in the Bold Ruler, Share the Ride was run down in the final yards of that 7-furlong test, but rebounded in a Nov. 18 allowance at Parx by more than seven lengths. Majestic Dunhill has not raced since the Bold Ruler, but has been cross-entered to a stakes at Laurel on Saturday.

Share the Ride could prove tougher to run down over this shorter 6-furlong trip, but might face pace pressure from recent Hudson S. winner Tribecca.

Others looking to pick up some pieces late are the Bold Ruler third Arch Cat; Drafted, a Group 3 winner in Dubai last year; and Stan the Man, who placed in the True North (G2) and Kelso H. (G2) earlier in the year.

Lovestruck, a Godolphin homebred by Tapit who won at first asking at Saratoga on Labor Day, returns in the $100,000 Tepin Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. The Bill Mott trainee could face the multiple stakes-placed Lexinator and Invincible Gal.

A half-sister to the late, prolific stallion Scat Daddy, Lovestruck was an intended starter in the Miss Grillo (G2) earlier in the fall before reportedly spiking a temperature.

“Given her pedigree, she might be one of the most exciting fillies we have in training,” said Godolphin’s Jimmy Bell. It’s a super female family and she looks like she has some talent to go along with it.”

Based on current form, Saratoga Treasure will be a longer shot to defend her title in the $100,000 Autumn Days Stakes, a 6-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares. Those with arguably stronger claims include Lead Guitar, A Great Time, Madeleine Must, and Rose Flower.