Digital Age stays perfect in American Turf under well-timed ride by Irad Ortiz Jr.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Digital Age didn’t launch his career until January of his 3-year-old campaign and with only two starts under his belt was the least experienced of the 13 horses who contested Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 American Turf at Churchill Downs. But that didn’t stop Digital Age from keeping his record perfect and becoming a graded stakes winner for the first time when rallying to a three-quarter-length victory over the pacesetting A Thread of Blue.

Digital Age, who won his only two previous starts at Tampa Bay Downs, benefited from a perfectly judged ride by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and saved ground while rating four lengths off the early leader through the opening six furlongs. Digital Age angled out sharply about five paths wide commencing his bid into the stretch, then finished full of run down the center of the course to wear down A Thread of Blue in the final strides.

A Thread of Blue set a moderate pace over a course officially designated “firm” but which seemed to have some give to it after two days of rain. A Thread of Blue turned for home with a clear lead while kept several paths off the inner rail by jockey Luis Saez. He continued willin

Social Paranoia, the tepid 5-2 favorite, was well-placed while saving ground. He loomed boldly inside A Thread of Blue near midstretch but hung late, finishing a head further back in third.

Digital Age, who was purchased at Newmarket as a yearling in the interests of Klaravich Stables Inc., completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.63. Trained by Chad Brown, he returned $19.20.

“It’s kind of a double-edged sword in these turf races. You want to save ground but clearly the outside of the course is a little better,” said Brown. “I was just hoping Irad would be able to extract himself at some point and find better ground, he did a beautiful job of it, and he [Digital Age] really responded once again.
“You have to respect this horse. For a young horse he knows where the wire is. He may not win by a lot, but he knows when to kick and knows how to get there in time.”

Brown said he was not overly concerned about Digital Age running on a course he felt was less than on the firm side.

“Knowing the horse, my gut was he would appreciate it,” said Brown. “That’s part of the reason I started him out in Tampa, because he always moved like a horse who needs to get his toe in the ground a little bit. I didn’t think he wanted anything too firm.”

Brown said the Grade 1 Belmont Derby on July 6 is the next main goal for Digital Age.

“When you have a good 3-year-old who finishes like he does, you’ve got to keep moving him towards the 1 1/4-mile Belmont Derby,” said Brown. “How he gets there, I’m not sure yet, but that’s the goal right now.”