After eventful voyage, Maryanorginger prevails in Astoria

ELMONT, N.Y. – She reared up in the paddock. She stumbled at the start. She checked shortly thereafter.

None of those mishaps mattered as Maryanorginger, making her career debut against five winners and another maiden, sailed to a three-quarter-length victory over favored Perfect Alibi in the $150,000 Astoria Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to Talk You Out of It in third.

The victory justified trainer Jeremiah Englehart’s decision to forego a maiden race with the daughter of Strong Mandate and start her in a stakes race.

“I was actually targeting a turf race, but everyone at the barn kept telling me do dirt,” Englehart said, adding that owner Al Gold “always wants to start them on the dirt first time out. Then I worked her with a filly that I thought was really good, too, and I said 'Why don’t we take a shot in the Astoria? It’ll be a tough field, but she’s nice.'”

Indeed.

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Credit goes to jockey Jorge Vargas Jr., who didn’t panic after Maryanorginger stumbled leaving the starting gate. The filly fan for a few strides, but then Vargas had to check when Reiterate came over to the rail.

Twirling Owen, under Jevian Toledo opened up a clear advantage, chased by Ms Headley and Reiterate.

Vargas, meanwhile, advanced Maryanorginger into contention along the inside. Turning for home, Reiterate took over from Twirling Owen, but Maryandorginger followed that move and took over at the eighth pole. She was easily able to hold Perfect Alibi, the 6-5 favorite, at bay through the lane.

“I wanted to be in a good position early on – I couldn’t,” Vargas said. “I just stay calm, she was taking the dirt good, I just made a run on her when she was clear she was long gone.”

Maryanorginger, a daughter of Strong Mandate who brought $190,000 at auction, covered 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.94 and returned $8.60 as the third choice.

“First time out, that’s not the way you want to start against winners, but she’s been really professional – other than her little rear-up in the paddock,” Englehart said. “She’s been really good, smart. I thought Jorge did a good job after that and checking to let her settle where she was. He didn’t get nervous and rush her up to get into contention.”

Perfect Alibi, coming off a 9 1/2-length debut victory at Churchill Downs, “ran a bit spotty” according to jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, who really had to get after the filly to go around the turn.

“She never gave up, she kept trying,” Bridgmohan said. “She was sitting third on the outside, I thought she was in a comfortable enough spot. She gave me a little bit, but then she was still a little bit green about things. Guess that’s good, because she’s got a way to improve.”