Turbulent Descent Outstanding in Test Stakes
In the week leading up to the 86th running of the Grade 1, $250,000 Test Stakes, trainer Mike Puype called the Saratoga fixture a “resume” race for his 3-year-old star Turbulent Descent.
Puype traveled east from his base at Del Mar in search of greatness, and his brilliant bay daughter of Congrats delivered the signature performance he was looking for, winning the seven-furlong Test in electrifying style Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
With powerful acceleration at the three-sixteenth pole, Turbulent Descent surged out and around leader Roman Treasure and on to a 3 ¾-length victory over a resilient Pomeroy’s Pistol in a time of 1:24.17. Roman Treasure finished third.
As the 4-5 favorite in the field of eight, Turbulent Descent returned $3.90 for a $2 win bet. The $150,000 winner's share of the purse pushed her career earnings to $828,350.
In the winner’s circle after the race, Puype quietly championed Turbulent Descent, who has now won six of eight career starts, including two other Grade 1 races in California .
“She’s just absolutely – there’s not enough you can say – it’s a breathtaking race,” he said. “She’ll take on any horse out there at this distance. It puts her right to the top of the division. She’s the favorite to win the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.”
The morning of the race, Puype uncharacteristically sent Turbulent Descent out to the main track for a mile gallop, saying he just wanted to familiarize the filly with her surroundings for her first race at Saratoga . Puype, too, had never raced a horse at the Spa.
In the afternoon, she clearly took to the surface, labeled fast during the race run in a light rain.
When the gate opened, Roman Treasure bumped with American Lady and set out for the front, racing through a quarter-mile in 23.02 and a half in 45.85. Jockey David Flores set up Turbulent Descent in fourth place, clear and tracking the leader on the outside, 4 ½ lengths back. Pomeroy’s Pistol broke sharply at the start before rider John Velazquez took her back to third place.
After chasing the pace in second, American Lady fell back as Turbulent Descent attacked.
“I thought I was going to be a little bit further back, but the pace was not as fast as I thought it was going to be and that put me in the best spot,” Flores said. “So, I just waited; there was nobody to worry about and around the half mile I just pointed out and she started making a run. I just let her be herself.”
Owned by Blinkers On Racing Stable, William Strauss, David Aurelio, et al, Turbulent Descent beat the field easily under a brisk hand ride.
“I sat right there,” said Velazquez about his trip on Pomeroy’s Pistol, “and when the other horse got to me I moved with them, but I didn’t have enough to keep up.”
Her Smile, winner of the Grade 1 Prioress, finished fourth, followed by Coax Liberty, Salty Strike, Ava K. and American Lady.
Puype said Turbulent Descent would be flown home Monday morning and likely wouldn’t run again before the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint on November 4 at Churchill Downs.
“She put herself in a new financial category today,” Puype said, “and she’s in line to win an Eclipse Award.