August 20, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Rolled the Tide
After a tame start, a late push turned the tide of the $600,000 Alabama (G1) in Power Squeeze’s favor.
Working in concert with rider Javier Castellano, the 3-year-old filly patiently stalked then-leader and 9-5 choice Candied deep into the stretch before changing lanes and sliding past to win by a head at Saratoga.
The Alabama stands as the second straight victory for Power Squeeze and third of the graded variety (Grade 3 Delaware Oaks on Jul. 8 and Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Oaks on Mar. 30).
Now standing at a stellar 6-1-1 through 10 starts, Power Squeeze paid a cool $14.80 on Saturday afternoon.
Something to Shout About
If Iscreamuscream keeps up this torrid pace, she may very well exceed the Chicago White Sox win total by the end of the season.
The 3-year-old filly remained perfect through four starts with a steady 1 ½-length triumph in Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1T).
Leaving from post one, Iscreamuscream and jockey Hector Berrios weren’t shy about getting to the front of the pack early.
The strategy ultimately paid dividends for the undefeated duo, who had little trouble warding off the next closest challenger Medoro (9-2).
Iscreamuscream, who closed as the board’s second choice at 3-1, paid $8.40.
Making Waves
While it appeared Saturday’s $200,000 Lake Placid (G2T) at Saratoga was an open-and-shut decision for bettors heading in, Grayosh and rider Flavien Prat had other ideas.
Closing at 7-1, well behind the likes of 3-5 favorite She Feels Pretty, Grayosh and Prat didn’t let their unfavorable standing deter them from turning in a stellar effort.
The pair cruised along in the early going, maintaining an opportune position as the stretch approached.
When the time was right, Prat guided Grayosh to the outside and the 3-year-old filly fought gamely to sneak past She Feels Pretty by a neck.
The breakthrough score paid a handsome $17.60.
Now’s a Good Time
Competing for the first time since finishing fourth in May’s Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes (G2), Subsanador (ARG) turned in a memorable performance in the $250,000 Philip H. Iselin (G3) on Saturday at Monmouth Park.
With assistance from rider Mike Smith, Subsanador delivered a textbook run highlighted by a strong finish that quelled any threat posed by 2-1 challenger Il Miracolo.
The Gold Cup score marked the Richard Mandella trainee’s first win on North American soil after joining the circuit last December.
As the 3-2 favorite, Subsanador made good on his lofty billing and rewarded bettors with an even $5 payout.
Feline Good
Rookie runner Kimchi Cat is off to an excellent 2-1-0 start to her young career.
The 2-year-filly’s second lifetime tally came on Sunday afternoon in the $150,000 Bolton Landing Stakes.
Testing the Saratoga dirt course for the second time in 34 days, Kimchi Cat stood out amongst her youthful contemporaries with a commanding 3 ½-length conquest.
While 29-1 dart throw Icona Mama made things somewhat interesting with a spirited late push, there was never a real threat to the Tyler Gaffalione mount’s lead.
Already a stakes winner in just her third start, Kimchi Cat paid exactly $8 for the Bolton Landing score.
