|
|
Go Deputy strolls in Sword Dancer Wertheimer and Frere's homebred GO DEPUTY (Deputy Minister) moved into contention turning for home and powered clear to an impressive 1 3/4-length win in the $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday. Tracking in midpack early beneath Eibar Coa, the Todd Pletcher charge moved smartly around the bend and through the lane to remain unbeaten from three starts over the Saratoga turf course. The final time for the 1 1/2 miles over the firm turf was 2:26 3/5, and the 6-1 shot rewarded backers with mutuels of $15.40, $7 and $4.90. Relaxed Gesture (Ire) (Indian Ridge), the 3-5 favorite, broke sharply and found himself on the lead by default early, leading the field to the half-mile in :49 1/5, before being wrestled back and allowing Ramazutti (Honor Grades) to reach the mile in 1:39 4/5 and 1 1/4 miles in 2:03 2/5. As the field bunched turning for home, Kent Desormeaux and Relaxed Gesture encountered traffic problems, more than opening the door for Go Deputy, who bagged his initial Grade 1 win here. Silver Whistle (Alphabet Soup) closed well to garner the place spot while 1 3/4 lengths clear of his nearest pursuer. The 10-1 shot paid $10.20 and $6.90 while completing the $119.50 exacta. Grand Couturier (GB) (Grand Lodge) enjoyed a forwardly placed trip throughout but could not match strides with the top pair late. The 7-1 shot was worth $5.50 while completing the $791 trifecta. Ramazutti was next and trailed by Relaxed Gesture, Silverfoot (With Approval), Crown Point (Honor Grades) and Wild Desert (Wild Rush). Go Deputy was coming off his first graded tally by taking the Bowling Green H. (G2) last out, and moved his lifetime mark to 16-6-6-1 with earnings of $663,120. The consistent six-year-old has now placed in eight consecutive races, including the Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup H. (G1), Mac Diarmida H. (G3), Pan American H. (G3) and Elkhorn S. (G3). Bred in the Bluegrass State, Go Deputy is out of the winning Secretariat mare Partygoer, making him a half-brother to1996 Pacific Classic S. (G1) hero Dare and Go (Alydar).
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
