Sacrosanct dominates Bertram F. Bongard

Sacrosanct followed up his sharp maiden victory last month at Saratoga Race Course with an even more powerful performance in Sunday’s $125,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes at Aqueduct.

The 2-year-old son of Honest Mischief won the 7-furlong Bongard in his second start by 12 lengths under Manny Franco for trainer Brad Cox and owners Lady Sheila Stable, Net Birdie LLC and Schwing Thoroughbreds.

Sacrosanct won his debut August 21 at Saratoga by 3 1/4 lengths to give his New York-based sire his first winner and became his first stakes winner with his win from the rail over six others in the Bongard. Honest Mischief, an 8-year-old son of Into Mischief out of the Grade 1-winning Seattle Slew mare Honest Lady, stands for $6,500 at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson.

The second most expensive colt and third highest-priced New York-bred at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale, Sacrosanct cost his owners $260,000. Bred by Burleson Farms, McKenzie Bloodstock and Sequel Thoroughbreds and foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, Sacrosanct joined Cox’s string at Belmont Park shortly after the sale and prepare for his debut.

Sacrosanct won that 6-furlong debut as the 8-5 favorite and was hammered down to 6-5 for the Bongard from his 2-1 morning-line price.

“We had him here at the beginning and we really liked him, so we sent him up to Saratoga early to prepare for his first start,” said Cox’s Belmont-based assistant Dustin Dugas. “He pulled through then and he’s been training super since he came back from Saratoga. He hasn’t missed a lick and was training right along. Brad always thought he could stretch out.”

Franco didn’t waste time from the break taking advantage and took control a few strides in ahead of fellow Saratoga maiden winners Buttah and McDiesel. Sacrosanct led through the opening quarter-mile in :22.89 and continued to hold a half-length edge over Buttah to the half in :46.68.

Sacrosanct shrugged off Buttah around the far turn and opened up. He increased that advantage to 6 1/2 lengths in midstretch, past 6 furlongs in 1:11.35 and widened from there to win in 1:24.35 over the fast track.

“My main thing was trying to break good,” Franco said. “I did not expect to be on the lead, but [Manhattan Twist], I don’t know, don’t break. … My horse broke on top and I said ‘Man, he has a race under his belt already,’ so I take it by the break and it worked out perfect for me. He’s still learning. This was just his second start. He will improve race by race.”

Buttah, a son of Leofric for Eddie F’s Racing, held second with August Dawn Farm’s Saratoga maiden winner Pay the Juice another 1 3/4 lengths back in fourth. Smilensaycheese, 5-2 second choice Manhattan Twist, Oath of Omaha and McDiesel completed the field.

Sold at the Midlantic May sale out of the Sequel Bloodstock consignment, Sacrosanct is the fourth foal out of the Unbridled’s Song mare Vibrato. She’s also the dam of stakes-winning New York-bred Navit and four-time winner and $109,245-earner All the Diamonds.

The victory gave Sheila Rosenblum of Lady Sheila Stable a pair of stakes victories on Sunday’s card. Lady Sheila also co-owns Joseph A. Gimma winner With the Angels.

“Both are 2-for-2 now; they both broke their maidens in their first start and won a stakes in their second start,” Rosenblum said. “I’ve got one or two nice horses, and they are both pretty talented. I know both sides of this game – they don’t always win – but the good moments are exhilarating.”

Rosenblum, who campaigned New York-bred Horse of the Year and graded stakes winner La Verdad, sang the praises of the Empire State’s program.

“I’ve been an advocate of the New York-bred program, and I’ve always loved New York-bred horses,” she said. “From my first win with La Verdad, it’s all about New York. I have to be there and support New York. Aqueduct is wonderful and I look forward to getting Belmont back as well, but my horses really do like Aqueduct. The New York-bred program is a great program and it’s gotten larger and larger. I really do try to create and get New York-bred horses, so this has been an incredible day. I’m absolutely speechless.”

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/09/22/sacrosanct-dominates-bertram-f-bongard/

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