Bernard Baruch

Artie Schiller, outside, scored a half-length win the Bernard Baruch  (Joseph DiOrio/Horsephotos.com)

Mrs. Thomas J. Walsh and Timber Bay Farm’s ARTIE SCHILLER (El Prado [Ire])
rallied gamely to overhaul defending champion and pacesetter Silver Tree
(Hennessy) in deep stretch and recorded a half-length victory in Monday’s
$147,000
Bernard Baruch H.
(G2) at Saratoga. Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, the
four-year-old colt earned his second graded stakes win this season and sixth overall
stakes win.
Richard Migliore guided the now four-time Grade 2 hero, who covered nine
furlongs over the good inner turf in 1:47 3/5.

Favored at 2-5, Artie Schiller was content to track Silver Tree in second through moderate splits of :25 4/5, :50 and 1:12 4/5. Migliore asked for
some run on the far turn and was heavily encouraging the bay colt as the pair
entered the stretch about two lengths in arrears. Artie Schiller responded,
steadily gaining on his loose-on-the-lead rival down the stretch. He paid $2.90,
$2.10 and $2.10 following the determined finish and keyed paltry exotics of
$7.40 (exacta) and $9.40 (3-7-2 trifecta). Silver Tree, who was off at 3-1,
easily held second by 6 1/2 lengths and returned $2.40 and $2.10 while America
Alice (American Chance) completed the top three with a $2.10 payoff at 5-1. Next
came Del Mar Show (Theatrical [Ire]) and Seeking Answers (Ire) (Shinko Forest).
Willard Straight (Lion Cavern), Golden Commander (Deputy Commander) and Not
Phone (Arg) (Speakerphone) were all scratched.

“(Silver Tree) is a decent horse; that was no slouch that was ahead of
‘Artie,'” Jerkens said. “He had (Jerry) Bailey on him, he was giving him a lot
of weight (five-pound difference). For him to finish like that, that was
unbelievable. At the top of the stretch, I thought Silver Tree had us. I still
can’t believe he did it. This has to be one of his best races.”

Out of the multiple Grade 1-winning Hidden Light (Majestic Light), Artie
Schiller was bred in Kentucky by Haras du Mezeray Sa and has proved to be an
extreme bargain after being purchased for $67,000 at the 2002 Keeneland
September Yearling Sale. He’s now earned $880,853 from a 17-9-3-2 line, with
previous wins in the Maker’s Mark Mile S. (G2), Jamaica H. (G2), National Museum
Racing Hall of Fame H. (G2), Hill Prince S. (G3) and Woodlawn S. The classy colt
has also placed in the Manhattan H. (G1), Dixie S. (G2), Virginia Derby (G3) and
Pilgrim S.

Artie Schiller has an unraced two-year-old half-sister named Our Table
Mountain (Fusaichi Pegasus), an unnamed yearling half-brother by With Approval
and a 2005 half-sister by Elusive Quality.