First Winners for Any Given Saturday

Grade 1-winning millionaire ANY GIVEN SATURDAY (Distorted Humor) got off the mark as a freshman sire twice over on Friday. Godolphin's homebred Ittasal first did the honors at Kempton Park in England, and not long afterward, Saturday Launch made it a double in the 7TH race at Ellis Park.

Ittasal, the 9-4 favorite in her career debut, lagged near the rear following a tardy start. Under Ted Durcan, the Saeed bin Suroor pupil advanced, struck the front at the eighth-pole, and held a three-quarter length margin at the wire. The British-bred toured seven Polytrack furlongs in 1:26 3/5.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Saturday Launch relished the switch to turf in his second career start. The Ken McPeek trainee raced in midpack before bursting between rivals for Fabio Arguello Jr. and kicking two lengths clear. The 8-1 chance finished the one-mile maiden special weight in 1:35 4/5 on the firm course. Saturday Launch was bred by Bloodstock Holdings LLC in Kentucky and sold to current owner Steve Baker for $65,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.