For the longest time trainer George Weaver has believed Majestic Dunhill was perfectly suited by seven-furlong races.

And the first time the Majesticperfection gelding tried that distance, Weaver proved to be quite astute as Majestic Dunhill won the 2018 City of Laurel Stakes.

Undaunted Weaver gave it another try Oct. 31 in the $93,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (G3) at Belmont Park and, as it turned out, R. A. Hill Stable’s 5-year-old gelding needed every foot of that distance of ground to finally end his losing streak by recording a head victory over the pacesetting favorite, Share the Ride.

“Finally, this horse got a graded stakes win. No horse I’ve owned has ever deserved one more than him,” owner Randy Hill said after the gelding’s initial graded stakes score.

Majestic Dunhill had come close to reaching the winner’s circle over the course of the last two years, but settled for second in both the 2019 General George Stakes (G3) and the June 7 First Defence Stakes on turf before the Bold Ruler win lifted his record to five wins in 21 starts with earnings of $373,214.

With the scratches of Phat Man and Wendell Fong, it put a premium on the sharp early speed of Silvino Ramirez’ Share the Ride in a tiny field of four.

Trained by Antonio Arriaga, the son of Candy Ride found his customary spot in front after a moderate opening quarter-mile in :23.37, while Majestic Dunhill, after breaking slowly under Joel Rosario, was 1 1/2 lengths back in second.

“He broke a little slow but then he got going right away and I was able to find my spot where I wanted to be,” Rosario said.

The spot to be for Majestic Dunhill was inside for much of the trip, but after Arch Cat took a failed run at the leader on the turn, Rosario made his move. He guided his gelding outside of Share the Ride in mid-stretch and after collaring him near the sixteenth pole, outfought him to the wire, covering the seven furlongs in 1:22.48 on a muddy track.

“When it was time to go, I asked him and he really moved nice and went on. I’m glad we got it done today,” Rosario said.

Bred by Hargus Sexton, Sandra Sexton, and Silver Fern Farm in Kentucky out of the Candy Ride mare Candy Fortune, Majestic Dunhill ($5.90) has been keeping some fancy company in the mornings, often working out alongside Weaver and Hill’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) favorite Vekoma. “This horse has been good for us from when he was 2 to now. He’s won races on the turf and dirt and always runs his best race even when we put him in a tough spot,” said Weaver’s assistant trainer Blair Golen.

Share the Ride, who was third in the Vosburgh Stakes (G2) and victorious in the Mr. Prospector Stakes in his last two starts, was four lengths ahead of Burns Thoroughbred Racing’s Arch Cat.

Centennial Farms’ Mihos completed the order of finish.

Courtesy of the Bloodhorse