Farhaan Beats Alpha in Alydar
Farhaan snatched the lead at the top of the stretch from his favored stablemate, Alpha, and went on to post a 3 ¼-length victory on Sunday in the $100,000 Alydar for older horses at Saratoga Race Course.
Dismissed at nearly 8-1 in favor of the dual Grade 1-winning Alpha, Farhaan was allowed to settle in sixth and last as a headstrong Alpha led through an opening quarter- mile in 23.26 seconds, a half in 46.95 and three-quarters in 1:10.96. Swung three wide by jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., Farhaan barreled into the lead once straightened for home and was never challenged as he crossed the finish line in 1:49.87 for 1 1/8 miles.
Stormin Monarcho held for second, while Alpha, who was making his first start since February, faded to third, another five lengths back.
Owned by Shadwell Stable, the 5-year-old Farhaan notched his second victory in three starts this year in the Alydar, having taken the Stymie at Aqueduct Racetrack in February. In his most recent start prior to Sunday, he was a non-threatening fifth in the Grade 3 Ben Ali over the synthetic surface in April at Keeneland Race Course.
"We thought Alpha would be able to win," said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin of the 2012 Travers and 2013 Woodward winner. "In the first turn he got jammed up and went a little quick; he almost ran off with Johnny [Velazquez]. It wasn't an ideal situation; that's why we had Farhaan as a backup plan and it worked out great.
"I think they went so fast early and it set up well for him," he continued. "Irad is riding unbelievably right now. He rode three so far today and won all three, [including] two for us. So it was a great day and great to see this horse run so well off a four-month layoff. He was ready today. Maybe we'll have higher goals for him later, bigger races. We'll have to think about Alpha. He ran well. He didn't just fall in a heap; he just went too fast early."
Farhaan, now 6-1-1 from 16 career starts, earned $60,000 to extend his bankroll to $282,238. He returned $17.80 for a $2 win bet.
Completing the order of finish behind Alpha were Dawly, Csaba, and Easter Gift.