Restless Rider brings 'raw talent' to Spinaway Stakes
Trainer Kenny McPeek has already pulled off one Grade 1-sized upset in the 2018 Saratoga meet, having sent Eskimo Kisses to a dramatic, last-to-first victory at odds of 9-1 in the Alabama on August 18. On Saturday, he'll try for another one when he saddles Restless Rider in the $350,000 Spinaway Stakes for 2-year-old fillies.
"She's extremely talented and we've been waiting for this particular race," said McPeek, who trains Restless Rider for Fern Circle Stable and Three Chimneys Farm. "We think it sets her up for a really good fall. We didn't want to press on her too early in the season. She's already shown that he had a lot of raw talent and this is a good next step."
On paper, the gray daughter of Distorted Humor is perfect in two starts, even if the execution didn't always go to plan. In her debut, Restless Rider was fractious behind the gate, dropping jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. and falling before reloading to post a 2 ¾-length win in the June 8 maiden special weight.
She came back three weeks later in the six-furlong Debutante on June 30 at Churchill Downs, where she raced near the pace and checked sharply on the backstretch when he pacesetter pulled up abruptly after the half-mile pole. Restless Rider recovered quickly, reengaged the pace with a six-wide move into the stretch and drew off to an eye-catching 11 ¼-length victory.
"She's got such a quick turn of foot that she can overcome stuff. She's a rapid-fast and extremely smart filly," McPeek said. "She's tactical. You can lay her off of the pace but if you wanted her to go to the front, she'd probably go. Good horses overcome a lot of things and she certainly acts like she's that kind of horse."
Hernandez has the return call aboard Restless Rider and drew post 11 in the 12-horse field for the Spinaway, a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" qualifier for the Juvenile Fillies in November at Churchill. The $150,000 yearling purchase has been installed as the 6-1 third-choice on the morning line behind Chasing Yesterday, half-sister to American Pharoah for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, and Catherinethegreat, the gate-to-wire Grade 3 Schuylerville winner for the Mark Casse barn on opening weekend.
"Anytime you can get Grade 1 status for a filly, you're going to go for it. We pulled it off once this meet with Eskimo Kisses in the Alabama, so we'll try it again," McPeek said.