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Intangaroo much the best in Ballerina Tom Grether Farm's INTANGAROO (Orientate), a maiden winner at the start of 2008, has built a lofty reputation in the ensuing months. Her patented late-closing flourish was used to good effect in capturing the Santa Monica H. (G1) and Humana Distaff S. (G1) earlier this year, and on Sunday she added the $239,333 Ballerina S. (G1) in similar style. The 5-1 third choice in a field of eight, Intangaroo rallied strongly down the middle of the track to win the Saratoga fixture by 2 3/4 lengths, her largest margin of victory this year. Under Alonso Quinonez, Intagaroo covered seven furlongs on a fast track in 1:22, and returned $12.20, $7 and $3.90 while keying exotics of $81.50 (exacta), $283.50 (trifecta) and $1,645 (1-7-2-3 superfecta). The Gary Sherlock-trained Intangaroo rated in seventh as Mistical Plan (Game Plan) bounded out to an early lead through splits of :22 1/5 and :44 4/5. Challenged along the inside by 2-1 choice Sugar Swirl (Touch Gold) approaching the far turn, Mistical Plan maintained her lead as that rival lacked running room and switched out rounding the turn. The favorite challenged the front runner in the stretch, only getting past her inside the final eighth, but at that point a number of rivals began challenging from behind, including the eventual winner. Intangaroo had swung six-wide turning for home and finished full of run while Miraculous Miss (Mr. Greeley), who trailed early, also came strongly late to nab second at 6-1. She returned $7 and $3.50 while Sugar Swirl held off Leah's Secret (Tiger Ridge) by a half-length for the show, paying $2.90. Jibboom (Mizzen Mast), Mistical Plan, Baroness Thatcher (Johannesburg) and Bayou's Lassie (Outflanker) rounded out the order of finish. "You just saw why we came to Saratoga. The next race will be the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (at Santa Anita on October 24)," Sherlock said, adding that he was pleased the automatic bid to that race secured by winning the Ballerina will not require an interim prep for his four-year-old filly. Intangaroo captured a first-level allowance by a neck in her seasonal debut, then upset the Santa Monica by a nose at nearly 27-1. She was a half-length third in the Las Flores H. (G3) before demonstrating her dirt prowess for the first time in the Humana Distaff, which she won by a head. In her start prior to the Ballerina, Intangaroo failed to muster much of a rally when 3 1/2 lengths fourth in the A Gleam H. (G2) at Hollywood Park. Intangaroo's bankroll swelled to $623,231 with her score in the Ballerina as her line improved to 13-5-2-2. Bred by Pollock Farms & Taylor Made Farm Inc. in Kentucky, Intangaroo is the second registered foal out of the multiple stakes-winning Tasso's Magic Roo (Tasso), who has since produced an unraced sophomore colt named Downthestretch (Johannesburg), an unnamed juvenile colt by Chapel Royal and an unnamed 2008 colt by More Than Ready. Intangaroo attracted a final bid of $37,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling sale.
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