Green Light Go continues fast start, wins Saratoga Special
Green Light Go made it a perfect 2-for-2 start in his career Saturday, pulling away from six other 2-year-olds to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special.
The Jimmy Jerkens-trained son of Hard Spun went off as a 3-2 favorite. He sat in the middle of the pack while Long Weekend and Tuggle shared the lead through fractions of :22.71 and :44.16.
Jockey Junior Alvarado moved Green Light Go to the outside of those two coming through the corner. He put away Long Weekend and then – after some slight contact – powered by Tuggle to win by 3 3/4 lengths.
"He's got a body like a 4-year-old and his mind is like an old horse's mind," Alvarado said. "He's very focused. There's nothing like a 2-year-old about him."
Noose came up to finish second behind Tuggle, who covered the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.68. Tuggle held on for third.
Stronach Stables campaigns Green Light Go, who paid $5.10 to win.
Green Light Go debuted July 4 in maiden special weight company at Belmont Park, beating a field of five by 3 ¼ lengths. The 84 Beyer rating he secured that day ranks 13th among 2-year-olds in 2019.
"It turned out he didn't break quite as fast as his first start, but it worked out well," Jerkens said. "He sat in the pocket just nice up against the bridle. He didn't care about taking dirt which was really nice to see. He leaned a little in the stretch; maybe a little green, but I guess he's still learning, too.
"He had good purposeful works between races and has handled it. He was also composed in the paddock, so we might really have a nice one here."
Jerkens said the $500,000 Champagne Stakes (G1) on Oct. 5 at Belmont Park is "a little more appealing" for Green Light Go's next start than the $350,000 Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 2 back at Saratoga.