Competitive Edge dominates in debut

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – He came into the meet with a lot of fanfare, and Competitive Edge didn’t disappoint.

In an eye-catching career debut, the 2-year-old colt galloped to a 10-1/4-length victory Saturday at Saratoga, running six furlongs in 1:09.89. That was the fastest six-furlong time of the meet until the 3-year-old The Big Beast finished in 1:09.00 four races later.

“We were impressed but not surprised,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “The horse had trained exceptionally well all summer up here, and we were excited about getting him started, so happy to see him run to his training.”

Competitive Edge is a son of Super Saver, the horse who gave Pletcher his only Kentucky Derby win back in 2010. Competitive Edge was purchased for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton March sale of 2-year-olds in training by agent Alex Solis Jr. on behalf of owners Nancy Favreaux and Kathy Psoinos.

Competitive Edge drew into the race from the also-eligible list after Da Jenius was scratched.

Breaking from the outside post, Competitive Edge dueled with King Rontos through an opening quarter of 21.87 seconds before sneaking away from that one entering the far turn. He widened his advantage through a half-mile in 45.23 seconds and five furlongs in 57.34 before running his final furlong in 12.55 seconds under a vigorous hand ride.

“He worked really nice in the morning, and he showed in the afternoon just as well, very nice,” jockey John Velazquez said. “I kind of sat against him quietly. It seemed like he was going there very easily, and then I came back and said, ‘Oof, that was faster than I thought I was going.’ ”

Pletcher said Competitive Edge would be pointed to the Grade 1 Hopeful here Sept. 1.

Today’s Agenda, a first-time starter from the barn of Tony Dutrow, finished second by three-quarters of a length over Bayerd. Aldrin, a three-quarter brother to Tapit, broke a step slowly and lugged in during the stretch run, finishing eighth, beaten 17 1/4 lengths.