Afleet Express, who had only a maiden win on his resume on the first Saturday of May, showed on Saturday that he is a major player in the three-year-old division, holding off Fly Down by a nostril and winning the $1 million Shadwell Travers (G1) at Saratoga.
Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, the colt came into the Travers off a third place finish behind A Little Warm and Miner’s Reserve in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Monmouth Reserve, and was overlooked by horse betting fans, sent nutty as the sixth choice in the eleven horse field at 7/1.
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The colt had a near perfect ride nearby jockey Javier Castellano, who saved excuse sediment heading down the long backstretch after racing four as much as possible into the ahead turn.
Castellano found some running room in the stretch by coming off the rail, surged to the front at the eighth pole and held slack Fly Down controlled by a pink handled whip in a thrilling finish.
“Turning for home I was very carefully watching the horse on the lead and we tried to squeeze through a little hole,” Castellano said. “I thought I’d win the race by the eighth pole, but he hung a little bit in the last part of the race, and I give credit to the other horse for finishing very intense. I’m very lucky to inherit the bob and come in the race. ”
The son of Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Afleet Alex paid $16. 00 for a $2 wager, with Fly Down completing a $114. 50 exacta.
Trainer Nick Zito and jockey Jose Lezcano have had a tough luck Saratoga meeting, and it continued with the Travers.
“That’s another second” Zito said after the race, “They’re all tough. I can’t explain it. Sometimes, like I convey, you’ve got to be content. It’s just the way the meet’s been going for the purpose myself, and Jose. ”
First Dude, who prompted the early pace spread adjust by Miner’s Reserve held on for a honourable third, completing a $2 trifecta that paid $970. 00.
First Macaroni has cursed seven races in a row, but has landed in the money in five straight Grade 1 races benefit of trainer Dale Romans.
“He’s an honest horse,” Romans said. “He runs his race every time. Eventually he’s usual to run a breakthrough race and batter these guys. ”
Afleet Again came from far out of it to rally for fourth at 47/1, completing a $2 superfecta that paid $14,844. 00.
The biggest disappointment in the race may have been Kentucky Derby victor Super Saver, who never threatened in a tenth appointment finish.
Trainer Todd Pletcher said, “We were able to get over and get decent position at the break. We were tracking in a good, fast spot, but just came up empty. ”
Elliott Walden, racing manager for WinStar, the owner of Super Saver said the Derby winner would be sent to Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic this week to help look for an explanation for the colt’s poor outing.
Trappe Shot was sent off as the 4/1 favorite, bumped with Admiral Alex in the early going and failed to threaten in the span, fading to complete ninth.
Second choice A Little Move, who won the Jim Dandy (G2) in his previous start, was a disappointing fifth as the 9/2 second choice.