Star Of Cozzene’s Hopes for Top Honor Soured

Star Of Cozzene’s chances to be voted horse of the year were nearly eliminated when Apple Tree, making his American debut, won the 1 1/2-mile Turf Classic at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Star Of Cozzene, the 1-2 favorite, finished fourth in the five-horse field. In his first 10 starts this year, the 5-year-old had six victories and four seconds.

Star Of Cozzene, recently purchased for $3 million by a Japanese group racing as Tamaeato Farm, was pinned along the hedge all the way and never was better than third under Jose Santos.

Apple Tree paid $11.40, $7.40 and $11.60 and earned $300,000 from a $500,000 purse with his fifth victory in 16 starts this year. He was timed in 2:28 1/5 on a firm turf course.

“The slow fractions definitely hurt us,” said Mark Hennig, Star Of Cozzene’s trainer. “Jose said he never got a chance to get free. We’re undecided where we are going next.”

Before the race, Hennig indicated Star Of Cozzene would skip the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 6 and go to the Japan Cup at Tokyo on Nov. 28.

Also on the program, Birdonthewire won the seven-furlong Vosburgh Handicap, his third consecutive victory. It was a stakes double for Mike Smith, who also rode Apple Tree.