Golden Pal puts it all together in Skidmore Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After suffering close setbacks in his first two starts, including a heartbreaking neck defeat in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Ascot, Golden Pal left little doubt winning his maiden in impressive fashion Friday on the turf at Saratoga in the $85,000 Skidmore Stakes.
Golden Pal cruised home 3 1/2 lengths in front of his stablemate Fauci, two of the three juveniles trainer Wesley Ward ran in the 5 1/2-furlong Norfolk. He also sent out fourth-place finisher Sunny Isle Beach.
Despite entering the race a maiden, Golden Pal went postward a 2-5 favorite under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. and sped right to the lead after breaking alertly from his outside post. Golden Pal rated kindly on the front end, drew off readily when lightly roused upon settling into the stretch, and was being geared down at the end with the outcome no longer in doubt.
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Fauci stalked his speedy mate from the outset and was easily second best, finishing four lengths in front of Sky’s Not Falling.
Golden Pal, a son of 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint runner-up Lady Shipman owned by Ranlo Investments LLC, covered the distance over a firm course in 1:00.88 and paid $2.90.
“He really got to show who he is today,” Ward said by phone from Keeneland immediately after the race. “More so today because everything went his way. He got a fast, hard, firm turf, the outside slot. He bounced out of there so quick he was able to dictate the pace. Everything was ideal. I think he opened a lot of eyes today. I’m really excited for this horse.”
Ward said he was a fan of Golden Pal’s dam, Lady Shipman, right from the start.
“I love to train turf sprinters and she was one of my favorites,” said Ward. “As a fan, just watching her speed, her class, all the races she won. I’m so lucky the owner gave him to me to train and lets me train him like I own him.”
Ward said the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint is his next objective for Golden Pal.
“He’s proven enough,” Ward said. “I don’t think he needs to run again before the Breeders’ Cup.”
Ward said he really didn’t want to run Fauci against Golden Pal in the Skidmore.
“I was high on him early,” said Ward of Fauci. “He got beat in his first start but vindicated himself with a win the second time. He’s very good, too, but he wants no part of this horse. I think he’ll probably go a little further, which is good.”
Ward said the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 12 is probably next for Fauci.