American Sailor wins Troy after Imprimis dealt DQ

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - American Sailor crossed the finish line second behind Imprimis in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Troy Stakes at Saratoga and trainer Wayne Potts couldn’t have been prouder of his 8-year-old gelding’s performance.

“I was happy with second,” Potts said.

A few minutes later, however, Potts was even happier as the stewards disqualified Imprimis - who crossed the finish line 2 1/4 lengths in front - from first and placed him third for interfering with third-place finisher Shekky Shebaz in the stretch.

Thus, American Sailor, under Tyler Gaffalione, was elevated to first, giving the 39-year-olds Potts his first career stakes victory. Potts began training on his own in 2000 after working in California for trainer David Rose.

:: Play Saratoga with DRF! Visit our Saratoga shop for DRF PPs, Picks and Clocker Reports:

“I’m speechless,” said Potts, who is based at Laurel Park. “My first stakes win; we finished second, I got put up, but I’m going to take it. First graded win, [happy for] my clients who stood behind me through the years with claimers, and this is where we’re at.”

American Sailor, a gelding by City Zip who ran as cheap as $7,500 just two years ago, won for the 15th time in 45 starts. He is owned by Raj Jagnanan.

A one-dimensional speed horse, American Sailor figured to get involved in a duel with Pure Sensation early in the Troy. But that 9-year-old gelding didn’t break and American Sailor was loose on the lead through a quarter of 21.92 seconds and a half-mile in 44.01 while opening up a two-length lead over Shekky Shebaz, with Imprimis in third.

Imprimis, under Jose Ortiz, was gaining while wide turning for home, and he took the lead in midstretch. Imprimis, making his first start since the Breeders’ Cup last Nov. 2, did come in a path causing Irad Ortiz Jr. on Shekky Shebaz to alter course to the outside. Manny Franco on Pulsate, who finished fifth, also steadied.

As Imprimis began to draw way, American Sailor was fighting on and held off Shekky Shebaz by a head for second.

“I watched the replay, I thought there was a shot for us to get put up and it happened,” Potts said. “I’m very pleased with the outcome.”

Gaffalione said he took advantage of the poor break from Pure Sensation.

“My horse caught a flyer and I let him run his race,” Gaffalione said. “I was thrilled with the race my horse put up today, he set fast fractions and kept running.”

Ortiz wasn’t totally surprised by the disqualification.

“When I hit him the first time, he switched leads and ducked in on me, I think that’s when I commit the foul,” Ortiz said. “It looked like I was on the best horse, but I probably did cost the other horse a position.”

Imprimis covered the 5 1/2 furlongs over firm turf in 1:01.27.

American Sailor, the 7-1 fifth choice in a field of seven, returned $16.80 to win.

Chewing Gum, who was a surprising 2-1 favorite, rallied from last to be fourth. He was followed by Pulsate, Lonhtwist and Pure Sensation.