Strapping Groom wins Forego for Saginaw
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I can only imagine what the partners of Drawing Away Stable, trainer David Jacobson, and jockey Junior
Alvarado must be feeling right now. In the span of about 24 hours, racing luck
served them with the lowest of lows and immediately turned right around and
took them to the highest of highs.
Just one day removed from the tragic loss of Saginaw,
stablemate Strapping Groom entered
the starting gate for just his second attempt at taking home the lion’s share
of a graded stakes purse. Though already a dual stakes winner in his own right,
the task he faced was a formidable one. He had to outsprint the fleet Fast Bullet to the lead, have enough
left in the tank to fend off the closers, and do it all in the mud against a
field full of some of the nation’s top sprinters. Despite the tall order,
Strapping Groom did just that and more.
In what could only be called a performance worthy of the
late Saginaw, Strapping Groom surged
out of the gate and straight to the lead. He threw down a 22:92 opening
quarter, and when Fast Bullet stubbornly tried to stay with him, he simply went
faster, zipping through the second quarter in 22:30 to record a half mile in a
sizzling 45:22, all while splashing through the lake the main track at Saratoga
had become.
While Fast Bullet faded after the punishing first half, Justin Phillip and Jackson Bend, were waiting to pounce. Though Justin Phillip inherited
the runner-up spot when his stablemate backed out, he was unable to retain it
thanks to Jackson Bend’s strong closing surge. But even though Jackson Bend
finished up strongly, even he couldn’t get to Strapping Groom, who led gate to
wire.
Strapping Groom was clearly tired as he approached the wire,
and after the first half, no one could blame him. He began to drift, first out
and then back in, but Alvarado soon had him running straight and never impeded
his fast closing rival. As Jackson Bend tried to get to Strapping Groom, the
chestnut speedster reached down deep and showed his heart to just prevail.
The son of Johannesburg completed the 7 furlong G1 Forego in 1.22:27, running the final
3 furlongs in 37:05. Jackson Bend and Justin Phillip finished 2nd
and 3rd, and the order of finish was completed by turf runner Lea, Sage Valley, Javerre, Fast Bullet, and Golddigger’s Boy.
Needless to say, Strapping Groom’s upset victory was an
emotional one for all his connections. DAS partner Sandy Levine declared after
the race that Saginaw had run as entrant “7A” today. “Do you believe in
miracles?” he questioned, “I do now. I’m 100% sure that Saginaw was the wings
that carried Strapping Groom to win the Grade 1 Forego Stakes. [I am] so proud
of our DAS team to pull this win together. Junior Alvarado, the pilot, we love you. Our trainer David Jacobson is so wonderful and takes care of our horses like
they are his children. No more words, no more tears! I now know that Saginaw
has our backs!”
Partner Robert Hachemeister was just as emotional. “It’s
fitting how it all worked out,” he stated. “John Velazquez had been Strapping
Groom’s regular jockey since we claimed him, but he opted to ride Justin
Phillip today. It’s just fitting that Junior was able to fill in, and it’s the
greatest compliment to him and his ride because he wasn’t going to lose. I’m
just grateful that this wasn’t a “Win and you’re in” race, because if Jacobson
opts to go that route, I’d rather pay our way to get there [Breeders’ Cup]. He
deserves the shot after what he’s done for us because where else do you go from
here?”
“It’s never been about the money,” he went on to say. “Money
is inconsequential, and it’s not why we’re in this game. We started Drawing
Away Stable so that the blue collar person that couldn’t afford to incur the
monthly bills could get involved in the game.”
When asked about Saginaw and the emotional rollercoaster
from yesterday to today, Hachemeister responded, “I would give anything to have
him [Saginaw] back. I would write NYRA a $300,000 check and give up this Grade
1 win right now just to have him back. Not even to race again. Just to retire.
Everything was etched in stone for his retirement, he had only to tell us it
was time…Justin Zayat has been one of our biggest friends and champions. He
sent his condolences to us and gave some great advice on how to handle the “haters.”
Then when we beat his two horses today, he was the first to send a
congratulatory message. I am just floored to have someone like him in our
corner.”
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