Ready for Rye Holds Off Daredevil in Swale

What a difference a week makes! Seven days ago, trainer Tom Albertrani was in the midst of a winless drought, and his promising 3-year-old Ready for Rye was forced to stay in the barn when the $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Swale Stakes (G2) was canceled due to unprecedented rainfall. The popular horseman got off the mark Saturday with a pair of victories earlier on the card, and Ready for Rye ($14.60) made it a hat trick in upending odds-on favorite Daredevil in the re-scheduled seven-furlong sprint.

"It's a relief -- it's been a little frustrating," Albertrani admitted. "I think we're actually up to 12 or 13 seconds after yesterday, and maybe my luck changed yesterday when they put my number up (to second) instead of down in the maiden race. But it's been a great day."

Daredevil, winner of the Champagne Stakes (G1) last fall, drew the rail, but conceded the early advantage to X Y Jet and Ready for Rye. Jockey Luis Saez asked for a bit more from Ready for Rye heading into the turn and the gelding responded to take command approaching the quarter-pole. Daredevil came after him in earnest turning for home, but Ready for Rye kept on motoring to notch a 2 3/4-length decision. He was timed in 1:22.39 for the seven-furlong Swale. Daredevil, who was making his first appearance since an unplaced effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), was 10 lengths in front of third-place finisher Señor Grits.

"It was perfect," Saez said. "The inside horse (X Y Jet) was moving and moving and that was good because I tucked my horse in a nice position in second and with a half-mile to go I had a lot of horse. When I hit him he responded and I knew we were going to win. I feel so happy for (Tom Albertrani). He’s a nice, good guy and it’s good for him. It’s great that we were able to win a stake.”

Purchased by Chalk Racing as a yearling for $70,000 at Keeneland September, Ready for Rye debuted at Saratoga on Labor Day and was runner-up to highly regarded Carpe Diem. The Kentucky-bred bay duly romped home by seven lengths at Belmont in October, and proved second-best to Barbados as the even-money favorite in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream on January 3.

"I think he really needed that race (the Spectacular Bid) -- I don't really tighten up on them off the layoff," Albertrani explained. "I would hope they make that step forward off of the race. He really came back like he needed the race. He was a lot tighter for this one."

Ready for Rye has now earned $203,360 in his promising four-race career.

"My only question today was if he would go seven-eighths, that was the only doubt in my mind," Albertrani added. "I know he's got a lot of speed. I'm glad they re-drew the race because X Y Jet was on the outside of us (last week) and [drawing outside of him] might have helped (today). It just worked out well. We'll go back to New York and keep him short for now."

Daredevil gave an honest effort in his first start since Nov. 1.

“He ran a good race, unfortunately we were second-best today," jockey Javier Castellano offered. "He did not disappoint us at all. I think he is still a very good horse. He was coming off a layoff in the Breeders’ Cup and unfortunately today he came back in sprint race. They went pretty quick and the winner was able to dictate the pace. He still made a great effort today.”

Source: Gulfstream Park Press Release