Sweet Loretta romps home in the Schuylerville
The first stakes race at Saratoga 2016 is in the books! Taking full advantage of the opportunity to impress on the big stage of opening day, St. Elias Stable’s Sweet Loretta uncorked a flashy late run that carried her to an impressive 4 ¼-length score in the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes.
Sent off at odds of 4-1 off an easy debut win at Monmouth Park, Sweet Loretta broke slowest of all from the number four post. Meanwhile, longshot Inspired Flight burst through horses in the first hundred yards to take control of the early lead. It was a taxing early lead, though, as the 23-1 shot sped through fractions of :21.68 and :44.79. Sensing the fast pace, veteran rider John Velazquez was more than happy to keep the Todd Pletcher trained Sweet Loretta in the clear, and in sixth, as the field of eight made their way to the far turn.
The 8-5 race favorite, Make Me Shiver, who had been forwardly placed throughout, was ready to pounce on the leader as the octet of young fillies approached the stretch run. By that time, though, Sweet Loretta was busy picking up horses on the outside. As soon as the favorite took over the lead, the good looking daughter of Tapit was moving in on her, and in full flight. The race for first was soon decided. Sweet Loretta quickly assumed command, and cruised to the Schuylerville wire an unchallenged winner.
"We didn't know what she ran against [in her maiden race] at Monmouth but we liked the way she did it,” remarked Pletcher. “She looked like she did it with something in reserve but we knew this was a big step up in class. I told Johnny [Velazquez] in the paddock, 'I don't think she's as quick as some of these other fillies, just don't rush her off her feet. Give her a chance to get her legs underneath her.' It actually probably worked in her favor that she didn't break well. They went fast early but she ran professionally; she ran into the dirt well. She kept gaining ground in the early part of the race and put herself in a good position coming off the turn."
Final time for the six furlongs over the fast main track was a very good 1:10.89. The longshot Fun closed best at odds of 22-1, under Junior Alvarado, for second, while Harlands Thunder passed Made Me Shiver late to grab third.
As the third betting choice, Sweet Loretta returned $10.80, $5.70, and $3.70 across the board. The $2 exacta over Fun was good for a healthy $226.00, while the 4-8-9 trifecta returned a whopping $1,366.00.
With the victory, Sweet Loretta raised her record to a perfect 2-for-2. Bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables, the daughter of Tapit, out of the Bluegrass Cat mare, Ithinkisawapudycat, was snatched out of the Keeneland November Sale as a high priced weanling of $750,000. In her two races to date, she has looked like any kind, having scored in that maiden race at Monmouth Park by seven lengths. As we move deeper into the fantastic Saratoga meet, Sweet Loretta’s future looks nothing but bright.
Not only is the Schuylerville the first stakes of arguably America’s best meet, but it is also the first of three graded stakes for the juvenile fillies over the Saratoga main track. The Grade 2 Adirondack will be run on August 13, while the Grade 1 Spinaway is set for closing weekend, on Saturday, September 3. With a strong Astoria Stakes win by Bode’s Dream at Belmont Park back in June, and now with this impressive daughter of Tapit, Vinny Viola’s St. Elias Stables looks to be a factor in all of them.