The Big Torpedo dominates Cab Calloway on the lead
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Big Torpedo took control soon after the start under Eric Cancel, set sharp fractions, but still had plenty left with which to finish en route to a 4 1/2-length victory in Thursday’s $150,000 Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Stakes at Saratoga.
The maiden Courtly Banker, second to The Big Torpedo in the Spectacular Bid division of the NYSS last month at Aqueduct, finished second again, 3 1/4 lengths in front of Fidelightcayut. B D Saints was fourth followed by Cable Ready, Six Fortyfive, and Solo Empire.
Trainer Tom Morley wasn’t necessarily intent on The Big Torpedo being on the lead, but Cancel seemed to want to be there. Cancel sent him to the front and carved out splits of 23.99 for the quarter, 46.97 for the half, and 1:10.64 for six furlongs, at which point he was 2 1/2 lengths in front. The margin only grew from there.
Morley said his only instructions to Cancel were to make sure there’s an honest pace.
“You don’t want to mess things up by trying to overcomplicate things in those situations,” Morley said. “I was very happy if somebody wanted to go in front of him, but I was pretty happy for him to make the running as well.”
The Big Torpedo, a son of Big Brown owned by Thomas Albrecht, Vincent Fusaro, and James Klein, covered the mile in 1:35.01 over firm turf and returned $3 as the favorite.
“He was very comfortable the pace that he was going,” Cancel said. “From there on, it was just game over for everybody else.”
Morely said his early objectives were the two stallion stakes races that The Big Torpedo has taken down. Morley said he would consider the $125,000 Rick Violette for New York-breds here on Aug. 15 or the Grade 3, $175,000 Saranac on Aug. 30. Both races are at 1 1/16 miles.
“He’s an open-stakes caliber horse,” Morley said.
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