Read the Footnotes’ Socialsaul Takes New York Derby in Stakes Debut

by Sarah Mace

Preachintothedevil, dominant winner of the competitive Mike Lee S. at Belmont on June 11, may no longer be in the hunt for the Big Apple Triple Bonus, but another rising star from the barn of Gary Contessa – Samotowka Stables’ Socialsaul – gave team Contessa a New York Derby exacta, crossing the finish line 4 ¼ lengths ahead of his stablemate

Socialsaul, the most lightly raced horse in the field of six lined up for the 39th running of the $150,000 middle leg of the Big Apple Triple, was making only his fourth career start, but had done little wrong so far. He vied early in the mud in his May 18 debut at Belmont and, in his next two starts, passed through his state-bred maiden and first-level allowance conditions by a combined 7 ¾ lengths while stretching out to a mile. Since his June 25 allowance win, he worked a solid five furlongs at Belmont in 1:01. Going only an extra half panel for the 1 1/16-mile contest on Saturday, he was mainly facing a class test – to see if he could compete with some of New York’s finest sophomores. And compete, he did.

After the break, Socialsaul got out of the gate well, but longshot Bristol Harbor, making his stakes debut on his home track, shot straight to the front from post four, leading the field through the first three-quarters of a mile in sensible fractions of 24.69, 48.84 and 1:13.23. Meanwhile Socialsaul tracked in second one length off the lead, but inching closer at every point of call. Preachintothedevil, with Jose Espinoza in the irons for the first time, raced under a hold, marshaling his speed just to the outside of Dogwood Stable’s stakes-winning Sky Music, a George Weaver-trainee, who got a ground-saving trip.

Socialsaul got on even terms with Bristol Harbor, and then kicked clear in the far turn, while Preachintothedevil loomed four wide grabbing second. When Preachintothedevil came on to challenge his stablemate, Socialsaul had the answer, found another gear and opened up 4 ¼ lengths by the finish line. Sky Music, after angling out for the stretch drive, finished a good-looking third under Pedro Rodriguez. Tap Attack, Winners Laugh and Bristol Harbor completed the order of finish. The final time for the 1 1/16 miles over the fast going was 1:44.09. [VIDEO[2]]

After the race winner trainer Gary Contessa said, “I didn’t know what kind of horse I had when I came in here. He really showed his quality.” Speaking of John Grabowski’s handling of Socialsaul, Contessa said, “It was a great ride. He did everything right.”

Jockey John Grabowski, who was celebrating his third New York Derby win said, “I was in the garden spot with a ton of horse underneath me. I love to ride in this race. To win it is always sweet.”

Bred by Thomas-Narlinger LLC and A. R. Properties, Socialsaul’s record is now an impressive 3-0-0 from four starts, with three straight wins. The winner’s share of the purse for the New York Derby swelled his earnings bankroll to $148,040. He is the youngest of the three winners and two stakes performers out of the winning Proud Truth Mare, So Social, an 11-time winner of $218,791. His older full sister Tailbytherail ($108,665) has placed in a pair of stakes races at Calder — once on the grass.

Socialsaul has passed twice through the auction ring. An OBS open yearling in 2009, he went for $9,500 to Eisaman Equine, who turned him around to Mike Samotowka at two for $35,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale.

Socialsaul’s sire Read the Footnotes is currently a top ten New York stallion. In New York since 2006, Read the Footnotes stands for Sequel Stallions[4] at Keane Stud[5].

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2011/07/16/social-saul-new-york-derby/

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