Mott unveils impressive maiden winner Mucho at Saratoga

Before the Grade 1 action began Saturday at Saratoga, a horse that looked fit to one day run at that level wowed the Whitney Stakes day crowd.

Bill Mott-trained Mucho, under jockey Jose Ortiz, circled by the leading pair of Fabulous Fun and Justice of War through the turn and went on to win the $85,000 maiden special weight event for fun at the Spa.

Having sat just behind opening fractions of 22.11 and 45.27, Mucho was schooled a bit taking dirt. He went on to complete six furlongs in a final time of 1:10.19.

The homebred by Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame is campaigned by Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm. This was his second start following a runner-up effort June 10 at Belmont Park.

Bet down to 2-1 in a field of eight, he returned $6.70 to win.

This victory sets Mucho up to compete in a race such as the Grade 1 Hopeful at the end of Saratoga's meet. He's among a handful of impressive juveniles seen so far this summer in New York, with the Steve Asmussen-trained Nitrous another garnering attention after his second-out win on July 21.