Florida shipper Off the Tracks surprises in Schuylerville

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Roderick Rodriguez had never started a horse at Saratoga nor won a stakes of any kind anywhere coming into opening day of the 2015 meet. He accomplished both those milestones on Friday, thanks to the speedy 2-year-old filly Off the Tracks, a talented daughter of Curlin who rallied to an impressive 3 1/4- length victory over Banree and six others in the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes.

Off the Tracks launched her career with an easy victory over a weak field of maidens five weeks ago at Gulfstream Park. But she had little trouble handling the jump in class in the Grade 3 Schuylerville, stalking the early pace of Moment Is Right before assuming command in early stretch and then drawing away to a convincing triumph under Luis Saez. Banree raced wide and was easily second best, finishing 4 3/4 lengths in front of Decked Out. Positively Royal, the 6-5 favorite, retired early, finishing a well-beaten eighth and last.

Off the Tracks, a half-sister to the two-time graded stakes winner Concord Point, is owned by the J Stables. She completed six furlongs over a fast track in 1:11.27 and paid $19.60.

“I thought there would be a lot of speed, and I think she’ll be even better going longer, so I expected she’d finish strong,” said Rodriguez. “But the race presented itself different. She was right there second. That surprised me, and she still came with what I was hoping for, a big finish.”

Rodriguez said Off the Tracks didn’t beat a lot in her debut but he was impressed with the way she did it, giving him the confidence to bring her to Saratoga to try her luck against graded stakes competition in the Schuylerville.

“I think we’ll wait with her for the last race,” said Rodriguez referring to the Grade 1 Spinaway on Sept. 5. “The more time you give 2-year-olds, the better off you are.”