More Than Ready logged his 172nd stakes winner when Roy H rallied to a two-length victory in the True North Stakes-Gr.2 (1200m) at Belmont on Friday.
Trainer Peter Miller flew Roy H to New York for his stakes debut after a hollow allowance win at Santa Anita last month. “You might think this was ambitious but I believe he’s been a stakes horse from Day 1,” Miller explained. “Unfortunately, a lot of little things prevented him from winning one until now.
“He showed what he’s about today. We will take him back to California and I think you’re going to hear a lot more from Roy H.”
Roy H (5g More Than Ready–Elusive Diva by Elusive Quality) clocked a quick 1:08.59s against a deep field of east coast sprinters. He defeated millionaire Stallwalkin’ Dude (City Place) and Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) who was gunning for his sixth win in a row.
A $300,000 buy for owner Gary Hartunian at Keeneland, he was bred by Ramona Bass who also bred More Than Ready’s Churchill Downs stakes winner A Little Bit Sassy.
Winning jockey Paco Lopez said Roy H was an easy ride. “He was ready. I waited and let him go and he finished very well. I had a good break and the horse put me right there. He’s good.”
More Than Ready shuttles to Vinery Stud for a $66,000 (inc. GST) service fee.
