Another Miracle pulls away in Skidmore to become American Pharoah's first U.S. stakes winner

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Another Miracle not only showed off his affinity for the turf but gave his sire, American Pharoah, his first stakes winner in the United States by rallying to an impressive 1 3/4-length victory over Proven Strategies while making his grass debut in Friday’s $100,000 Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga.

Both the winner and runner-up of the Skidmore are owned in part by Leonard Green - Another Miracle in partnership with Jonathan Green and Proven Strategies with Aron Yagoda and the newly formed Empire Racing Club.

Another Miracle won his maiden at second asking in a race switched from the turf to a fast main track here earlier in the meet. But trainer Gary Contessa has maintained all along that Another Miracle would be even better on the grass, especially after watching the youngster turn in a couple of impressive works over the Oklahoma turf course earlier this month.

With regular rider Manny Franco aboard, Another Miracle assumed the lead shortly after the start before relinquishing that advantage to the 4-5 favorite Montauk Daddy in the run down the backstretch. Montauk Daddy opened a commanding lead on the turn, but Another Miracle was full of run once turning for home, readily overtaking the leader near midstretch before drawing clear at the end.

Proven Strategies, who entered the Skidmore a maiden following two starts, raced within striking distance after a very alert beginning and also ran down the tiring favorite to finish second in his stakes debut.

Another Miracle completed 5 1/2 furlongs over a firm course in 1:01.61 and paid $7.10.

“I’m blessed, I’m honored,” said Contessa when informed he had just sent out American Pharoah’s first U.S. stakes winner. “He’s a good horse, a neat little horse, but he’s got a big heart in that little body. And very professional to be able to let that six horse [Montauk Daddy] go and then come back and get him.”
Contessa said for the time being, he plans to keep Another Miracle in turf sprints with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf as his goal later in the year.

“We have the Breeders’ Cup sprint on the turf facing us, we just need to win one of those Win and You’re Ins, so probably Keeneland will be the next stop,” said Contessa. “I’m going to keep him on the grass, but when it rains I’ll be okay.”

Contessa was referring to the $200,000 Indian Summer on Oct. 6 at Keeneland.