Redeemed Too Classy in Discovery

Redeemed continued his upward progression, stalking a modest pace and drawing clear by 2 ¼ lengths in the Grade 3, $100,000 Discovery Handicap for 3-year-olds on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Looking for his first graded victory, Redeemed tracked fractions of 24.06 and 48.49, claimed the lead midway on the far turn, and was never threatened in the stretch as Socialsaul gave vain chase in second. The final time for 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.22.

“He got a beautiful trip today,” said winning jockey Edgar Prado, a Hall of Famer. “He broke well, was right there, he was pretty handy all the way around.”

Redeemed, a son of Include, went off as the 7-5 favorite and returned $4.90 for a $2 win wager.

The Discovery was Redeemed’s second start in blinkers, having first worn in a head victory in the Oklahoma Derby on October 16 at Remington Park. Prior to the equipment change, he was second in both the Saratoga’s Grade 2 Amsterdam, won by eventual Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb’s Posse, and Parx Racing’s Smarty Jones.

“The last time he ran, he was behind horses and split horses; today, he stalked them,” said Rick Dutrow, who maintains a 11-5 edge in the Aqueduct fall trainer standings after winning with all three of his starters, including Redeemed, on Saturday. “He’s run on every single different racetrack. I keep throwing scenarios at him, and he keeps answering the bell.”

Redeemed, 5-2-1 in eight career starts for owner Jay Em Ess Stable, earned $60,000 in the Discovery, pushing his bankroll to $484,140.

Dutrow said the colt will likely join his winter string at Gulfstream Park.

“To me, every step around there, I knew he was going to win the race,” added Dutrow. “When they came to him, he just spurted away again.”

Raison d’Etat was third, followed home by Arthur’s Tale, Eltheeb, Golden Gulch, and Philly Ace. Ghost Gunner was pulled up and vanned off.