No Regrets finished second for the third time this year, carrying a lead deep into the stretch before being caught approaching wire in a $50,000 Starter Allowance at Saratoga on July 22. He lost by a length in a race that was closer than the final margin indicated. Away swiftly, No Regrets held a comfortable lead throughout the early stages, even widening his advantage entering the stretch. But after repelling an initial challenge by the winner in his typical, stubborn fashion, he fell back after bumping with that rival in close quarters while still maintaining a comfortable margin over the show horse. With the purse money he earned from the race, his earnings this year are now nearly double those from his inaugural campaign.

Race Chart

Perhaps if the second race at Belmont Park on June 29 had been 5.99 furlongs instead of 6, or No Regrets had stayed closer to the inside rounding the turn he might have won. Maybe if he hadn't been brushed by the winner leaving the starting gate or bobbed down instead of up he would have made up the 12 inches or so he needed to win.  He didn't do any of those things and still ran a great race, reacting well to his first time wearing blinkers and posting a personal best 78 Beyer.  Away quickly despite his early trouble, he raced in hand the majority of the way and was only caught in the final strides while safe in second by 3½ lengths. He didn't falter either, running the final quarter-mile in approximately 23.74 seconds. With the year a little more than half over, he has already exceeded his earnings from last year and is on pace to more than double them.

Race Chart

The rain-soaked Belmont Crowd wasn’t fooled. Listed at 3-1 in the morning line, Ready for Rye was the 6/5 favorite when the gates opened. It made perfect sense. Including today’s victory, Ready for Rye has now finished first in four of his five lifetime starts on an off-track and earned $227,000. The only time he didn’t win, he finished second! This one was close for the first half-mile. Leaving the turn, Ready for Rye burst forward and opened a three-length lead before coasting home by more than two lengths. Jockey, Javier Castellano, never touched him with the whip. The win moved Ready for Rye ever closer to $1M in career earnings. He has now earned $817,090 in 27 starts.

Race Chart  | Win Photo