Set the near-helpless task of rallying into a sequence of 26-second quarter-miles, Gio Ponti called upon the class which landed him dual Eclipse Awards in 2009 and outfinished would-be bomber, the pacesetting Mission Approved for a neck victory in the GI Man O'War S. Saturday at Belmont Park, successfully defending his title. It was the first victory in four starts this term and came on heels of a runner-up effort in the GI Manhattan H. June 5.

"Everyone made a big deal of him getting beaten the last time, [but] I never had a doubt that the horse was the leader of his division, and I'm delighted with the way he ran today," commented trainer Christophe Clement. "The race was completely against him; they walked in front, he was last, but he's good enough to be versatile and win the race."

Runner-up to Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic last November, Gio Ponti missed narrowly in the Tampa Bay Breeders' Cup Feb. 20, then picked up a cool $600,000 when fourth, beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 27. Gio Ponti is headed out of town for his next appearance, said Clement. Options include a defense of his title in the GI Arlington Million Aug. 21, or a trip to Del Mar for the GI Pacific Classic Sept. 5.