Annapolis dominates Saranac in prep for Coolmore Turf Mile
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Todd Pletcher preferred to run Annapolis in a race rather than simply work the horse up to the Grade 1, $1 million Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 8.
On Saturday, Annapolis ran in a race that basically amounted to a paid workout.
In a four-horse field with no speed, Annapolis made the front soon after the start under Irad Ortiz Jr., and he basically galloped around the track to win the Grade 3, $200,000 Saranac Stakes by 5 1/2 lengths at Saratoga. Celestial City and Fuerteventura dead-heated for second, 12 lengths clear of Ethereal Road. Piqua scratched.
After Annapolis finished second in the Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16 miles on Aug. 6, Pletcher wanted to cut the horse back in distance with the idea of running in fall races such as the Coolmore Turf Mile and perhaps the Breeders’ Cup Mile in November. Pletcher didn’t want to wait two months to run Annapolis so he opted for the Saranac, which was contested at 1 1/16 miles.
“We felt like he’s a colt that carries plenty of condition, we thought about training up to the Coolmore Mile at Keeneland, but decided he was doing great and probably a race in between would benefit him,” Pletcher said.
Annapolis, a son of War Front, had never raced on the front end before, but seemed to do it easily and comfortably under Ortiz.
Annapolis carved out splits of 25.00 seconds, 49.79, 1:13.65, 1:36.49 and covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.57, getting a 96 Beyer Speed Figure. He returned $2.30 as the 1-9 favorite.
“He was so relaxed going to the backside, ears up waiting for me, when I asked him he was there for me,” Ortiz said. “He was really, really nice today.”
Pletcher said Annapolis is probably better with a target “but I think he’s just good enough and versatile enough to do what you need to do.”
Annapolis improved his record to 4-2-0 from six starts and increased his earnings to $592,600 for Bass Racing.