Proving that precociousness runs in the family, Showcase bounded home an easy winner of the $200,000 Saratoga Special (G2) on Saturday.
A son of 2010 juvenile champion Uncle Mo and the stakes-winning Buy Sell Hold, who captured the Kentucky Juvenile early in her career, Showcase made it 2-for-2 by winning the Special. The 3 1/4-length decision followed a 7 1/2-length debut win at Aqueduct on July 6.
Saving ground while racing midpack in the field of eight, Showcase had a solid pace to chase courtesy of First Resort, who ran the first quarter in :21.85 and the opening half in :44.78.
Trapped in and behind First Resort in midstretch, Showcase bulled his way out from that position to take aim at the long time leader. Showcase seized control inside the eighth pole and strolled home under Irad Ortiz Jr.
“I just had to wait a little longer than what I wanted to in there inside of those horses,” Ortiz said. “When the horses outside of me started to get tired I worked my way out and after that it was so easy for him, he was very professional.”
Owned by Harrell Ventures and trained by Todd Pletcher, Showcase finished up 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.40 over a fast track and paid $8.70 to win.
First Resort held second by a neck over Smoken Wicked, with 9-5 favorite Touchy fourth. Ace It, Global Legend, Good Directions, and second choice Keep It Easy, who endured a disastrous stumble at the start, completed the order of finish.
Pletcher said that Sept 2. Hopeful (G1) over seven furlongs might be too quick a turnaround for Showcase. He instead mentioned the Champagne (G1) at Aqueduct or the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland as a potential next start for the gray colt.
Showcase is the latest graded stakes winner produced by this female family. Volatile, a full brother to Buy Sell Hold, won the 2020 Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1). Showcase’s third dam, Lady Tak, earned her signature victory in the 2003 Test (G1).
The $291,000 Troy (G3), which was to showcase the nation’s top turf sprinter Cogburn, was moved to the main true due to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby. Cogburn and seven others were scratched, leaving a field of five, and the race was automatically downgraded from a Grade 2 to a Grade 3.
One of two drawing in off the main-track-only list, Surveillance was the winningest horse on dirt of the remaining quintet. The seven-year-old gray made it eight wins on the main track with a 3 1/4-length win as the 3-2 favorite over Outlaw Kid, who held second by a neck over Step Forward.
Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Surveillance completed 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.41 and paid $5.
A son of Constitution, Surveillance had been claimed twice in his last three starts. Haltered for $80,000 out of a victory over the Churchill Downs main track on May 27, he next found a new home for $62,500 following a half-length win at Saratoga on July 26 going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. Earning back that sum and more in the Troy were owner Photos Finish LLC and trainer Wayne Potts.
The Troy was the fourth career stakes win for Surveillance, who won the Thanksgiving Classic, Richard Scherer Memorial, and Duncan F. Kenner S. in consecutive starts during the 2022-23 winter meet at Fair Grounds.
