Green Light Go impresses in Saratoga Special

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Green Light Go is aptly named. When jockey Junior Alvarado gave the Stronach stable homebred the green light to go in early stretch, the undefeated 2-year-old went, drawing away from the field to a convincing 3 3/4-length victory over the slow-starting Noose in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special.

Green Light Go rated within easy striking distance of the embattled pace setters Tuggle and Long Weekend before advancing three wide to join the leaders turning for home. Green Light Go lugged in to jostle Tuggle near the three-sixteenths pole before pulling away impressively under vigorous urging from Alvarado while continuing to lean in some approaching the wire.

Noose broke a bit tardily from the rail and dropped back to last during the early running, fanned out into the better footing turning for home and finished willingly to be second-best, 1 3/4 lengths in front of the tiring Tuggle. The latter survived the early battle with Long Weekend, ultimately prove no match for the winner when challenged before gradually giving way while racing in the deeper going near the rail throughout.

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Peruvian Boy, Zyramid, Long Weekend and Iberico rounded out the complete order of finish.

Green Light Go, an easy winner of his only previous start five weeks earlier at Belmont Park, is a son of Hard Spun. Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, he completed 6 1/2 furlongs over a fast track in 1:15.68 and paid $5.10 as the favorite in the field of seven 3-year-olds.

“He didn’t come out of there running quite as fast as the first time but it worked out well, he sat in the pocket nice, up against the bridle, and he didn’t care about the dirt. That was nice to see,” said Jerkens. “He was a little late changing his leads and leaned in a little. I guess he’s still learning, too.”

Jerkens said he didn’t know what would be next on the agenda for Green Light Go although indicated he’d most likely lean against bringing him back in the Grade 1 Hopeful here later in the meet to await the one-mile Champagne at Belmont Park on October.

“The Champagne seems a little more appealing than the Hopeful at the moment,” said Jerkens. “But we’ll see.”

Trainer Eddie Kenneally said he was proud of Noose even in defeat.

“The inside post was not ideal and we took the brunt of it,” said Kenneally. “We don’t have early speed and we took a lot of dirt. The horse is brave, he didn’t quit, he kept running. He was second-best today, but we’re pleased.”