The Juveniles at Saratoga -- 7/21/13

A surprising outcome in the Sanford Stakes (gr. II) and a promising New York-bred maiden special weight comprised the day's juvenile races . . .

Race 1: Maiden Special Weight
5-1/2 furlongs for New York-bred 2yos

Fox Rox was the narrow favorite at 2.45-1, but it was the 2.55-1 shot Double Gold that triumphed for trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Rosie Napravnik. After getting off to a very quick start, Double Gold settled just off the lead in third place while racing wide down the backstretch and around the turn. Following a half-mile in :46.49 seconds, Double Gold moved up to take command and held off Fox Rox in the stretch to win by 1 3/4 lengths. The latter broke outward at the start, which didn't help his chances, but he did finish up nicely in the final quarter mile to give the impression of being a horse with a future. Thug Daddy was squeezed at the start and trailed the field by nine lengths early on before rallying on the far outside to finish third, beaten 2 3/4 lengths by the winner. American Creed, trained by D. Wayne Lukas, raced wide throughout and tired to be sixth, but is certainly eligible to improve next time out.

Race 9: Sanford Stakes (gr. II)
6 furlongs for 2yos

The first of the meet's many graded stakes races for juveniles began with the 99th running of the Sanford, in which Wired Bryan scored a surprising victory at 7-1. Trained by Michael Dilger, a former assistant to Todd Pletcher, Wired Bryan broke well under Shaun Bridgmohan and spent the first :45.31 seconds of the race dueling with Hollywood Talent for command of the lead. Thereafter, Wired Bryan shook clear and drew off while racing greenly to win by 5 1/4 lengths in 1:11.06. Southern Blessing broke a bit slowly and trailed the field early on, but rallied well in the stretch to finish second at odds of 23-1, although he was never a threat to the winner. Hollywood Talent tired in the final two furlongs, but did manage to hold third. All In Blue, Jake's Magic Hat, and Debt Ceiling completed the order of finish, with the latter fading steadily after being a bit rank in the early stages and making a brief run to reach contention at the quarter pole.

-Keelerman