Horologist dominates Summer Colony Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Horologist, a multiple graded stakes winner, asserted her class edge over four rivals in drawing off to a one-sided 8 1/2-length victory in Sunday’s $120,000 Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga.
The 1 1/8-mile Summer Colony, decided over a sealed and “good” track at soggy Saratoga, was restricted to older fillies and mares who had not won a graded stakes in 2021.
With regular rider Junior Alvarado aboard, Horologist sped right to the front, while stalked from the outset by Gibberish. Horologist readily disposed of that rival after six furlongs, settled into the stretch with a commanding advantage and was never threatened thereafter.
Gold Spirit, a Group 1 winner in her native Chile, raced wide and was easily second-best while making just her second start since shipping to the U.S. and joining trainer Chad Brown’s barn earlier this season. She was followed by So Darn Hot, the tiring Gibberish, and Thankful, who stumbled at the start, trailed throughout and was eased to the wire far back.
Dunbar Road, who won the Grade 1 Alabama here two years ago, was scratched.
Horologist, a New Jersey-bred daughter of Gemologist, finished second behind Royal Flag in the Grade 3 Shuvee in her previous start here earlier in the meet. Trained by Bill Mott, she covered the distance in 1:51.57 and paid $4.20.
“She had no previous form on an off track, but she seemed to be the kind of horse who could handle it, that wasn’t a concern,” said Mott, who mentioned the Grade 2 Beldame at Belmont Park on October 10 as the next possible start for Horologist. “She had traffic troubles in a couple of races earlier this year, she was inside and stuck down in there, which is why the last two races we wanted her to bounce out of there and let her do her thing and not get in her way. A win like this does everybody some good, it’s good for the owners, it’s good for the jock and it’s good for the trainer, too.”
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