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| Staff Writer |
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American Triple Crown winner Justify's talented younger brother, Stage Raider claimed the US$89,240 first-level allowance at Belmont Park.
The 3YO half brother to the 2018 Triple Crown winner came through a narrow stretch opening and pulled clear for a hand-ridden three-length victory over Civil War The John Gunther-owned- and -bred Pioneerof the Nile colt raced the longest in his three-race career for trainer Chad Brown.
Bred in Kentucky, Stage Raider is related to three other winners besides Justify, including All American Stakes winner The Lieutenant His dam, the Ghostzapper mare Stage Magic was the 2018 Broodmare of the Year. The most recent of her seven foals is a Curlin yearling filly.
Gunther raced Stage Raider after he fell short of his reserve when bidding stalled at $950,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale when part of his owner's Glennwood Farm consignment.