Evelyn Pollard’s SARATOGA COUNTY (Valid Expectations) wore down pacesetter
Don Six (Wild Escapade) in the final strides for a nose victory in Monday’s
$200,000 General George H. (G2) at Laurel Park. The George Weaver-trained
four-year-old provided his connections a few anxious moments in deep stretch
when he began to drift out, but he continued his advance under Javier Castellano
to capture the President’s Day feature by the narrowest of margins.
Don Six sped to the lead at the start like he was shot out of a cannon and
was about five lengths in front through fractions of :22 1/5 and :44 4/5.
Saratoga County, who rated in second through the early stages, began to cut into
the lead on the far turn and was in full flight as he entered the stretch. He
appeared ready to fly past as Don Six got six furlongs in 1:10 1/5, but the
pacesetter proved extremely game and Saratoga County didn’t maintain a straight
path. But the eventual winner would not be denied, finishing seven furlongs over
the fast track in 1:23 2/5.
Sent off the 5-2 co-second choice, Saratoga County returned $7, $3.60 and
$2.40 to his supporters. Don Six, the 9-5 favorite, was good for $3.60 and $2.40
and capped the $24.80 exacta. It was another half-length back to the
non-threatening Gators N Bears (Stormy Atlantic), who was also off at 5-2 and
paid $2.40. The trifecta totaled $62 and the 4-6-2-1 superfecta, with Taste of
Paradise (Conquistador Cielo) in the fourth slot, was worth $89.30 for $1.
Unforgettable Max (Northern Afleet), Houston’s Prayer (Houston), Bocca Al
Lupo (Grand Slam), New York Hero (Partner’s Hero) and Private Horde (Brunswick)
completed the order of finish.
Bred in Kentucky by Round Table LLC, Saratoga County was purchased for
$100,000 at the 2003 OBS February sale and has now earned $446,590 from a
16-5-4-1 line. He earned his first stakes win in last year’s Gotham S. (G3) and
was coming off a 2 1/2-length score in the Mr. Prospector H. (G3) at Gulfstream
Park. The bay colt also placed in the Hutcheson S. (G2) and Spectacular Bid S.
(G3) in 2004. He’s the third registered foal out of the winning Grub’s Dancer
(Grub) and has an unnamed two-year-old full sister.