Saratoga Recap: Upsets in Major Stakes Races

Saratoga Race Course played host to two major stakes races this past weekend, both of which featured upsets. On Saturday, 7-1 shot Afleet Express captured the Grade I Shadwell Travers Stakes for three year olds, while on Sunday, 20-1 shot Persistently upset 2009 Horse of the Year, Rachel Alexandra, in the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes for three year olds and up.

The Travers Stakes on Saturday featured Kentucky Derby winner Supersaver and other horses who had run in the Triple Crown, Ice Box and First Dude. But it was Afleet Express who beat Fly Down in a dramatic stretch run to take the victory. First Dude was third. The pace of the race was relatively quick most of the way, with 24-1 longshot Miner's Reserve holding the lead and First Dude right on his hip. When the field turned for home, Fly Down looked like the horse likely to win the race as he flew around the outisde. Afleet Express held the fourth position on the rail in the turn and split First Dude and Miner's Reserve to set up a stretch run to remember with Fly Down. At one point, it looked like Fly Down might have had the race won but Afleet Express dug in and won by a nose. Supersaver was a real disappointment in this race, finishing 10^th in the field of 11 and will now undergo tests to see if there's any problems with him, according to trainer Todd Pletcher.

The Personal Ensign Stakes marked the return of Rachel Alexandra to the race track after winning the Lady Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 25^th. Trying the one mile and one quarter distance for the first time, Rachel Alexandra raced out to an early lead with Life At Ten. These two horses opened up a big margin on the rest of the field along the backstretch and fought each other in a wicked pace duel up front. In the turn, Persistently began to make her move. Rachel Alexandra continued on the front end, while Life At Ten faded to third, but Persistently eventually caught Rachel Alexandra right at the wire to pull off the huge upset. Trainer Steve Asmussen and co-owner Jess Jackson must be disappointed with the result and probably realize that Rachel Alexandra isn't suited for one mile and one quarter. This means the Breeders Cup Classic will probably be out of the question but a good spot might be the $2 million Breeders Cup Ladies' Classic, which goes one mile and one eighth in distance. It will be interesting to see what Rachel Alexandra's path to the Breeders Cup will be in the next two months.

Posted in: US Tracks