Saratoga: Governor Sam seeks another graded win in Mahony

Governor Sam looks to double up on local Grade 3s in Sunday’s $175,000 Mahony, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for 3-year-olds at Saratoga.

Trained by George Weaver, the Improbable bay went 4-for-6 as a juvenile with three turf-sprint stakes scores at as many tracks, culminating with a pacesetting one-length third to the victorious Magnum Force in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

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Governor Sam kicked off his current campaign with a third in the 5 1/2-furlong William Walker in April at Churchill Downs and a fourth in an off-the-turf allowance sprint in June there. He rebounded last out with a facile 3 1/2-length score over re-opposing stablemate Ortley Avenue in the Quick Call (G3) at Saratoga on July 13. 

Governor Sam, competing over Sunday’s course and distance in the Quick Call, closed from two lengths off the pace under returning rider Irad Ortiz Jr., earning a career and field-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form in victory. He won from off the pace for the first time since the Tyro last August at Monmouth Park, which he exited to wire the Rosie's at Colonial Downs and the Indian Summer at Keeneland.

“He’s doing fantastic,” Weaver said. “We’ll let Irad ride the horse how he wants. Hopefully, if he duplicates that performance, he’ll do good in there. His breezes have been good, and he continues to maintain good form. He’s doing good and we are expecting him to run well.” 

Weaver also entered Ireland-bred Ortley Avenue, who was the 15-1 longest shot in the Quick Call and kept on for a respectable pacesetting second to Governor Sam. The Bungle Inthejungle bay earned his second consecutive stakes placing after a runner-up finish in the five-furlong Roar in May at Gulfstream Park.

“He’s going to get another crack at Sam,” Weaver said. “I think he probably likes to run away from there (the gate). Whether that puts him back on the lead or not, we’ll see.” 

A winner of his 5 1/2-furlong debut in April on the Gulfstream Tapeta, Ortley Avenue is out of Titus Livius mare Titian Saga and is a full brother to 2021 Nunthorpe (G1) winner Winter Power.

Gabaldon graduated on debut last May in the Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park, where Governor Sam also debuted and landed sixth. Trained by Jose D’Angelo, the Gone Astray gelding exited to run a one-length second in the five-furlong Windsor Castle last June at Royal Ascot. 

Gabaldon, who led deep into the 27-horse Windsor Castle, originally was a $9,000 purchase at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October yearling auction to Soldi Stable. His price increased to $300,000 at the 2024 Inglis July digital sale, and he is now campaigned in partnership with Qatar Racing, returning to D’Angelo’s care for his current season. 

“He’s a special horse for me,” D’Angelo said. “We ran him at Ascot last year and almost got the victory over there. It was a nice moment. We gave time off for him, and he improved and grew. I’m sure he’s going to be tough here.”

In his lone effort this year, Gabaldon was a pacesetting 1 1/4-length third in the five-furlong Texas Glitter on March 22 at Gulfstream. 

“He’s grown a lot,” said D’Angelo. “He’s not a baby anymore and he knows what he’s doing. He always was a smart horse, but now more so.”

The Mahony is the ninth of 10 races Sunday, and it is scheduled for 5:50 p.m. EDT. The first post is at 1:10 p.m.