Saratoga BC

Jay Em Ess Stable's homebred SUAVE (A.P. Indy) took the lead after the

opening quarter-mile and proved very game in taking the $245,000

Saratoga

Breeders' Cup H. (G2) on Sunday. Breaking alertly beneath John Velazquez, the

four-year-old colt rated off the opening two furlongs in :24, prior to

carving out splits of  :48 1/5 and 1:12 for the initial six furlongs while

under mild pressure. Before the turn for home, Velazquez shook up his mount and

he responded, reaching the mile in 1:36 4/5  before eventually completing

the 10-furlong feature in 2:03 1/5 over the fast track.

The winning margin over

the oncoming Royal Assault (Kris S.) was 2 3/4 lengths. Sent off as the 3-1

second choice, Suave gave back $8, $6.30 and $8.40 while topping the $71 exacta

and $233 trifecta in the five-horse field.

"He's had a quarter crack in his back foot that has been bugging him all

year," trainer Paul McGee said. "It was hurry up and wait a couple of different

times this year. I tried to make the Fair Grounds with him; I tried to make

Keeneland with him; and I tried to make Churchill Downs with him, but that

quarter crack kept bothering him. As you can see, it is all fixed now."

Royal Assault saved ground on the inside early, moved three-wide turning for

home, and fell short in a nice runner-up effort. The chestnut paid $11.40

and $9.60 at 14-1. Tap Day (Pleasant Tap) rode the rail throughout and was in

good striking position late, but could do no better than third, worth $7.70 at

6-1. Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) was another 1 1/4 lengths back and

trailed by 3-5 choice Offlee Wild (Wild Again), who never really fired. Billy

Allen (Ire) (Night Shift) was withdrawn.

Suave has moved his mark to 18-5-4-2 with a bankroll of $659,483. The late

developer previously annexed the Northern Dancer S. (G3), with placings in the

Illinois Derby (G2), Indiana Derby (G3) and Swaps Breeders' Cup S. (G2), with a

close fourth-place finish in the Clark H. (G2) in his final start last year.

The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State and produced from multiple Grade 1

winner Urbane (Citidancer), who banked more than $1 million during her racing

career. Suave is the first graded winner out of the mare, who was also produced

an unraced two-year-old filly named World Wise (Coronado's Quest) and an

unnamed 2005 Vindication colt.