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Charlie Appleby and William Buick celebrated a Gr.1 victory as Measured Time triumphed over stablemate Nations Pride in the US$1 million Manhattan Stakes at Saratoga.
The 4YO son of Frankel, competing for the first time since finishing fourth in the Dubai Turf at Meydan earlier this year, secured a two-length victory over Nations Pride, ridden by Frankie Dettori.
With this win, Measured Time notched his sixth victory in eight starts for Godolphin. Buick is confident that the horse has even more potential for future improvement.
"It's been a long few days, so this was our last chance for this meet," said Buick, quoted by Bloodhorse.
"He's still got a bit to learn, he's not finished just yet. He ran home strong and he's an exciting horse for the future."
Appleby, who had failed to record a victory with six previous runners at the Belmont Stakes festival, said: "It was our plan to go forward because we've sort of not been getting the rub of the green lately.
"We thought we'd try to make a run up on the front end and it was a great ride by William. The horse has got such a stride you just want to let him get on with it."
Dornoch, ridden by jockey Luis Saez and trained by Danny Gargan, won the $2 million Belmont Stakes, the final leg of the US Triple Crown, holding off a late challenge from Mindframe to win by half a length, with Sierra Leone finishing third.
Co-owner Jayson Werth expressed his joy, labeling the victory in the Belmont Stakes as one of his greatest achievements. Another co-owner, Randy Hill, humorously remarked, "Nobody better wake me up. I'll be damn mad. I'll tell you right now – just let me keep dreaming."