Favored Zagora rallied brilliantly from off-the-pace to score a convincing victory in the $250,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Saratoga, stopping the clock in a spectacular 1:39.07 for 1 1/16th miles on the turf.
Ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez, Zagora was content to settle off of the early pace set by Summer Soiree, who out-sprinted Tapitsfly to secure the early lead. Mykindofladyfriend and Thundering Emilia were also up close, with Zagora, Heavenly Landing, Hungry Island, and Ruthenia at the rear of the field.
Summer Soiree continued her front-running gambit down the backstretch and around the far turn, running three-quarters of a mile in an eye-catching 1:09.44 seconds. It appeared as though she might be able to take the field all the way on the front end, but entering the homestretch, Zagora unleashed a terrific rally that carried her right on past Summer Soiree and into the winner's circle for the fourth time this year.
Hungry Island put in a good run to finish second, while Summer Soiree and Ruthenia rounded out the superfecta. The winner is trained by Chad Brown.
-Keelerman
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