Built notches first graded stakes with relatively easy Alfred G. Vanderbilt triumph
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SARATOGA SPRINGS. N.Y. - Built registered his first graded stakes win and helped trainer Wayne Catalano celebrate his 70th birthday in grand fashion by parlaying a perfect pace-stalking trip under Irad Ortiz Jr into a relatively easy and very popular 2 1/2-length victory over Hymn on Saturday at Saratoga in the $400,000, Grade 2, Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes.
The win was the fourth of six on the card for Ortiz, who returned 30 minutes later to guide Counting Stars to victory in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks.
The decision to send Built, a troubled second four weeks ago in the Grade 3 Bango stakes at Churchill Downs, to the Vanderbilt was a last minute one for Catalano. Catalano reasoned the prestigious event was coming up a lot softer than originally expected after last year’s winner Book Em Danno ran last weekend at Monmouth Park and reigning Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Bentornato was taken out of consideration earlier this month due to injury.
And little did Catalano know when putting Built on the van to Saratoga that the Vanderbilt would get even easier by post time due to the late scratches of key contenders Crazy Mason and Just Beat the Odds.
Built briefly delayed the start of the race by acting up a bit in the gate upon loading. It was a potentially significant turn of events, considering the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun arguably lost his best chance when bobbling immediately after the break in his previous start.
But after backing out and re-loading, Built broke very alertly and took up a perfect stalking position just off the pace of Damon’s Mound. He readily overtook the leader on settling into the stretch, quickly drew clear and was not seriously menaced thereafter. Hymn raced forwardly from the outset, eased out for the drive and ran down Damon’s Mound by a neck to prove second-best.
Built, who had posted triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in three of his previous four starts, is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. He completed six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.14 seconds and paid $4.40.
“When everything fell apart, which was unfortunate for some of the owners and trainers of the horses that didn’t make the race, we had to call an audible and come here,” Catalano said. “And what better way to celebrate my birthday than to win a stakes at Saratoga.”
Catalano was also quick to praise Ortiz for his judgment in backing Built out of the gate briefly to allow the horse to regain his composure prior to the start.
“He got a little antsy in the gate, so Irad just wanted to re-set him, because last time he kind of bobbled out of there,” Catalano said. “After that, everything worked out like we thought it would. It was perfect.”
Catalano said it is doubtful he will bring Built back to Saratoga for the Grade 1 Forego, a Breeders Cup Challenge race for the Dirt Mile, on August 29.
“It’s too close back after we ran him close today, so I’d say not, although there’s somebody a little higher than me,” Catalano quipped. “The horse is first.”
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