Norumbega and Joel Rosario Win Brooklyn Invitational

Norumbega and Joel Rosario Win Brooklyn Invitational: In the first graded stakes of the day at Belmont Park, Norumbega and jockey Joel Rosario win the G2 $500,000 126th Running of the Brooklyn Invitational on Saturday, June 7, 2014, just hours before the 146th Running of the Belmont Strakes.

Breaking from post position #8 in the eight horse field, The Claude McGaughey trained Norumbega ran most of the race in the fifth place position before overtaking Cat Burglar and Micromanage. Norumbega crossed the finish line first in 2:27.13 at a total distance of 1.5 miles.

Jockey Joel Rosario reported, “I had a really good trip and my horse ran great. I just followed the other horses around and was aware they weren’t going too fast in front of me. When I asked him, he had plenty to give me. The other horses tried to get out a little, but he dug in, and it all worked out great.”

Trainer Claude “Shug” McGaughey stated, “The slow early pace wasn’t a big concern. He had been training really well and we expected him to run a big race. We’re not sure where he’ll go next because it’s tough to find another 1 1 /2-mile race.”

Four-year-old Norumbega returned $22.40 for a $2.00 win bet at Belmont Park.

Brooklyn Invitational 2014 Results & Payouts
8 Norumbega and Joel Rosario $22.40 to Win, $9.00 to Place, $4.50 to Show
3 Micromanage and Javier Castellano $4.10 to Place,  $2.70 to Show
4 Cat Burglar and Rosie Napravnik $3.00 to Show
Also ran: 5 – Ever Rider (ARG) , 2 – Ground Transport , 6 – Golden Soul , 1 – Eriugena (IRE)
Scratched horses: Bigger Is Bettor (Trainer)

Belmont Stakes Day Race Replays: