Making his first start on turf, Dominus was able to pull off a mild upset in the $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. II) this afternoon at Saratoga, holding off a late bid from favored Data Link to win the 1 1/16th miles turf race by 1 1/2 lengths.
Ridden to victory by Julien Leparoux, Dominus got off to an excellent start and quickly seized command of the lead, easily slowing the pace down to a crawl when no one challenged him. Guys Reward was the only other runner to evenly remotely show interest in contesting the early lead, while Data Link was content to sit in third along the rail. Queen'splatekitten and Prince Will I Am were next in line, while Sky Blazer was the early trailer in the field of six after a poor start.
Through fractions of :24.29, :48.63, and 1:12.26, Dominus continued to lead the way, saving his energy for the stretch run. Data Link attempted to make a run at him turning for home, but when Leparoux asked his mount for run, Dominus responded with a burst of speed that carried him well clear of Data Link. The favorite was able to re-close the gap to some extent in deep stretch, but Dominus simply had too much left in the tank, coasting home a decisive winner in the good time of 1:40.32 seconds.
Sky Blazer rallied for third, while Guys Reward rounded out the superfecta. Prince Will I Am made a bold run along the inside turning for home before flattening out in what was his first start in nearly fifteen months.
The winner is trained by Todd Pletcher.
-Keelerman
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