Infinite Wisdom wins John's Call Stakes to give trainer first win of meet

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Brian Lynch killed two birds with one stone Wednesday at Saratoga, where Infinite Wisdom led throughout to register a one-length victory over Nessy in the $100,000 John’s Call Stakes, a 1 5/8-mile turf race.

The victory was the first in a stakes race for the 6-year-old Infinite Wisdom, a son of Smart Strike owned by Amerman Racing, and it marked the first win of the meet for Lynch in 21 starts.

As expected, Infinite Wisdom went right to the front under Irad Ortiz Jr. and controlled a fairly leisurely pace, getting his opening half-mile and six furlongs in 51.68 seconds and 1:17.90 over the firm course. Infinite Wisdom, a close second in each of his last two starts against allowance company, ran away from his early pursuers into the stretch, then withstood a late bid from Nessy.

:: Save up to 55¢/card on PPs with a 5-pack

St. Louie, who prompted the issue from the outset, finished 1 1/4 lengths farther back in third. Red Rifle, Renown, and Montclair completed the order of finish.

Infinite Wisdom paid $6.60 as the tepid favorite after covering the distance in 2:40.52.

“A big sigh of relief, although a head bob here and there probably cost us a few other races,” Lynch said, referring to his elusive first win of the meet. “It was great to finally knock one out today, especially in the John’s Call.”

Lynch said he felt all along that the farther, the better for Infinite Wisdom.

“It was good to finally get him over a route of ground today,” said Lynch. “He looked like he was the lone speed in there, they left him alone and let him dictate the pace, he relaxed comfortable and fortunately had enough left when they came at him.”

Lynch said his job now is to find similar opportunities around three turns for Infinite Wisdom.

“These are unique races,” Lynch said. “You don’t get a lot of opportunities to try them, so we’ll have to shop around and look for a marathon somewhere. They are out there for him, you just have to stick him on a plane and get to them.”