Speaker’s Corner third as Flightline shines in G1 Met Mile

Speaker’s Corner suffered his first defeat of 2022 as he finished third behind impressive winner Flightline in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park, USA, on Saturday, 11 June.

This season’s G1 Carter Handicap winner, trained by Bill Mott, broke on terms and was soon sent to the front of the five-strong field by Junior Alvarado.

In contrast, Flightline was half a stride slow leaving the stalls and had to be restrained in second as Speaker’s Corner bagged the inside rail.

Speaker’s Corner opened up a length and a half lead down the back straight before Flightline cruised up to join the Street Sense colt with three furlongs to race.

Flightline soon took control and readily drew clear to maintain his unbeaten record, with Happy Saver taking second from Speaker’s Corner over a furlong out.

Speaker’s Corner faded close home, going down by just under nine lengths in total.

Junior Alvarado said: “I knew Flightline is always on the lead, but he was not that quick out of the gate. I tried to keep him right there for as long as I could. In the half-mile, he got out to the outside and after that, the race was over. He was putting pressure on my horse. I had to let my horse go from the half-mile pole. I just couldn’t keep up with him.

“Speaker’s Corner is a good horse and I’m not ashamed of the race at all. We will still be one of the favourites next time.”