Late move takes Norumbega to victory in Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational

Big Horse sire Tiznow lived up to his nickname once again on Saturday when Norumbega won a thriller in the $500,000 Brooklyn Invitational (G2) at Belmont Park. The victor became the 50th career stakes winner for Tiznow, whose progeny have now earned over $3.6 million this year, placing him third on the 2014 General Sire list.

Norumbega, a Stuart Janney III homebred 4-year-old, needed every bit of the Belmont stretch to earn his first graded stakes win the 1 and  1/2-mile marathon. After breaking fifth with Joel Rosario aboard, Norumbega was three wide in fifth, some five lengths back of the lead, for the first mile before making his move for the front.

Rosario went between horses on the turn, then set his sights on Micromanage, who had spurted clear by about two lengths inside the furlong marker. With one last surge, Norumbega powered to the lead in the final strides to win by a neck in 2:27.13.

“I had a really good trip and my horse ran great,” added Rosario. I was aware they were going too fast in front of me. When I asked him, he had plenty to give.”

With the victory, Norumbega has now won four of 13 starts and earned $501,945. One of 14 stakes horses this season for his sire, he is out of the top-class producer Meghan’s Joy, whose foals also include Grade 3 winners Hunting and Quiet Harbor, and two-time stakes winner Seal Cove. Norumbega comes from the same family as 1993 Kentucky Derby (G1) champ Sea Hero, and graded stakes winners Mackie, Roar, Yell and Coronation Cup.