Emancipation earns Rising Star at Belmont

Emancipation, a 3-year-old Malibu Moon colt who is a full brother to 2014 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb, uncorked a big rally in the Belmont Park stretch to win his Friday debut in eye-catching fashion.

The bay colt is Malibu Moon’s 12th TDN Rising Star and is a Stuart Janney III and Phipps Stable homebred, like his Classic-winning older sibling.

Emancipation’s chances looked slim after the first-half mile in Friday’s seven-furlong contest, when he was at the back of the 11-horse field. The colt got into gear mid-way on the turn, came into the stretch full of run, forging past the field while well of the rail, taking the lead in deep stretch to win by three-quarters of a length.

Currently ranked sixth on the 2017 General Sire list with $4.6 million in progeny earnings, Malibu Moon will be represented in the June 10 Belmont S. (G1) by Gormley, winner of this year’s Santa Anita Derby (G1).