Cavorting scores first Grade 1 victory in Test

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he was concerned the pace was a little too slow, and he wasn’t sure how Cavorting would react to taking some dirt in her face during the running of Saturday’s $500,000 Test Stakes at Saratoga. But all of McLaughlin’s fears were put to rest after Cavorting unleashed a powerful run down the center of the track to prove a decisive 2 1/2-length winner over the longshot Bar of Gold in the prestigious Grade 1 Test for 3-year-old fillies.

Cavorting, a daughter of Bernardini owned by Stonestreet Stables LLC, rated about seven lengths off the pace of the defending champion juvenile filly Take Charge Brandi, who posted a relatively slow 23.21-second opening quarter-mile split in the seven-furlong Test. Bar of Gold, who pressed the pace from the outset, emerged with the lead at the head of the lane, edged clear, but proved no match for Cavorting, who was angled well outside for clearance by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. once entering the stretch before readily running down the leader to win going away.

Bar of Gold was easily second best, finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of the Grade 1 winner By the Moon. Take Charge Brandi faded badly after five furlongs, ultimately finishing 10th and last while making her first start in more than six months.

Cavorting completed the distance over a fast track in 1:22.81 and paid $7.60 as the favorite.

“I was worried with the 23 and change, and she normally doesn’t like getting dirt in her face, but it all worked out very well,” said McLaughlin. “Irad rode a great race, and she definitely deserves a Grade 1 win. They are hard to come by and are most important for fillies. It’s great because she’s by Bernardini, who stands at Darley, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”

McLaughlin said he has no immediate plans for Cavorting.

“This is the race we were looking at for the last 60 days,” said McLaughlin. “Seven-eighths is her distance, and I believe there’s one of those on Breeders’ Cup Day, so that’s what the goal will be from here.”