by Tom Musgrave

Joseph Allen's homebred Political Force finally punched through to the winner's circle in a stakes race, and did so at the top level, winning the $400,000 Suburban Handicap (G1) by 1 1/4 lengths on Saturday at Belmont Park.

In the 1 1/4-mile Suburban, Political Force turned the tables on 3-to-2 favorite Corinthian, who defeated Political Force by three-quarters of a length in their previous start in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on May 28 at Belmont.

After three consecutive on-the-board finishes in graded stakes, Political Force rated comfortably in fourth along the inside under Cornelio Velasquez as Grade 3 winner Fairbanks was hustled to the front by jockey Richard Migliore. The bay Giant's Causeway colt set a swift pace, towing the six-horse field through a half-mile in :47.53 and six furlongs in 1:10.69.

Political Force and Velasquez advanced on front-running Fairbanks from the inside on the second turn as 3.35-to-1 third choice Hesanoldsalt and Corinthian faded.

Velasquez threaded the four-year-old Unbridled's Song colt through opponents in the stretch, keeping him to his task while drifting out en route to a clear win in 2:00.50 on a track rated fast.

Fairbanks held on for second, two lengths in front of Malibu Moonshine, who closed strongly from the back of the pack to finish third.

Corinthian had no response under Migliore and faded to finish last.

Winning trainer Allen Jerkens, who recorded his fourth Suburban win, was elated with the colt's first stakes victory, but concerned with the form in which Political Force accomplished it.

"He always lugs in, so I hope nothing's wrong with him," Jerkens said. "At least he got his Grade 1."

Jerkens said Political Force would be rested and possibly pointed to the Woodward Stakes (G1) on September 1 at Saratoga Race Course, where the colt is winless in six starts. He added that the Breeders' Cup is also a possible target for the colt.

"You gotta think big," Jerkens said.

Jerkens saddled his first Suburban winner in 1962 when Beau Purple beat five-time Horse of the Year Kelso. His other two Suburban wins came with Devil His Due in 1993 and '94.

Political Force improved to four wins in 15 starts and boosted his earnings to $517,232. He is out of the Glitterman mare Glitter Woman.

For an Equibase chart, click here.

Tom Musgrave is Internet content editor for Thoroughbred Times