NYRA/Courtney Stafford
Howard T. Whitbred’s Go Unbridled won the $100,000 Saratoga Dew at the Spa on Monday afternoon by more than six lengths, showing an explosive turn of foot in the final furlong which surprised many – not least “the Chief,” Hall of Fame trainer H. Allen Jerkens who saddled her to victory.
Lined up with five other older New York-bred fillies and mares to go 1 1/8 miles in the Saratoga Dew, Go Unbridled was slated to break from post five under Junior Alvarado. A distant fifth in the 7-furlong Fleet Indian in her last start on August 1, the Grade 3-placed daughter of Unbridled Jet was returning to a preferred two turns in a race where she finished third last year, beaten only a head by winner Mineralogist in a blanket finish.
“She’s a route horse no question,” Jerkens said after entries were drawn. “Every once in a while they can come on if they get big speed in front of them, but that didn’t happen. She’s been a bit disappointing this year. I hope she can pick it up this time.” Go Unbridled had hit the board twice in five prior 2012 starts, but gone winless so far this year.
As anticipated, 3-2 post time favorite Opus A took command after breaking from the rail and along the backstretch run, maintained a one-length lead over 5-2 second choice Harbor Mist, and two lengths over Great Gracie Dane (3-1). Go Unbridled (5-1) raced evenly in fifth eight lengths off the lead. Great Gracie Dane was the first to move, making a bid for the lead rounding the turn, but Opus A hung tough.
Debra Roma Photography
In upper stretch Go Unbridled moved up into third, set her sights on the lead and then just exploded around the furlong marker. Pouring it on, she swept past Harbor Mist, Great Gracie Dane and Opus A, and opened up to a much-the-best 6 1/2 length victory.
Opus A carried on willingly to finish second, while Ginger Snapit, who had a rough start, finished 1 1/2 lengths back in third. Great Gracie Dane, Harbor Mist and Alykela completed the order of finish. The final time for the nine panels was 1:49.90 over a fast track. [VIDEO]
Winning jockey Junior Alvarado said, “She broke really good. She was kind of pulling me the whole way and I was just trying to get her more relaxed. By the three-eighths pole, she started to pick it up and I had the feeling turning for home that it was going to be pretty easy swinging out and getting a clear spot. She responded really good for me.”
When asked whether he was surprised by Go Unbridled’s explosion of speed in the final furlong, winning trainer Allen Jerkens said, “It’s very, very surprising. I’m very happy.” He added, “She didn’t gallop out very strongly the other day, but [the exercise rider] said she seems to know where the finish line is. I had never heard that one before, but it will do. She’s been an old pro all her life. [The exercise rider] has been galloping her good and strong. I guess that’s what got her good and fit. As Hirsch Jacobs used to say, ‘It’s much better to be surprised than disappointed.’”
Debra Roma Photography
Go Unbridled adds her victory in the Saratoga Dew to a win in an off-the-turf renewal of the John Hettinger Stakes last September at Belmont. She earned Grade 3 black type also in 2011, finishing third in Belmont’s Turnback the Alarm H. With three additional placings in state-bred or restricted stakes, Go Unbridled’s record now stands at 4-4-6 from 21 starts with $263,210 in purse earnings.
Bred by Thinking Cap Stable and foaled at Highcliff Farm in Delanson, Go Unbridled is the sole winner to date produced by three-time winner Reign Or Shine by Majesty’s Time ($124,790).
