Irish Mission ends drought with Glen Falls win

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Irish Mission ended a frustrating period for her and trainer Christophe Clement by running down the pace-setting Viva Rafaela in deep stretch to win Sunday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Glens Falls Handicap by a half-length at Saratoga.

The win was the first for Irish Mission since she took an allowance race by 9 1/4 lengths 13 months ago at Woodbine. It was her first win in a graded stakes, though she did win the $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes and Woodbine Oaks as a 3-year-old.

For Clement, it was his first graded stakes win of the Saratoga meet, one in which he finished third in the Travers and second in the Jim Dandy with Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist. Entering Monday’s final day of the meet, Clement had 8 wins, 11 seconds, and 13 thirds.

“They all ran well, but you’d always like to have more winners than seconds or thirds,” Clement said. “As long as they ran well, you know your day will come. Keep trying. That’s all you can do.”

Clement reunited Irish Mission with John Velazquez, who had ridden the mare twice at Gulfstream in 2013. Velazquez saved all the ground on Irish Mission while Viva Rafaela set fractions of 24.96 seconds for the quarter, 49.61 for the half-mile, 1:15.56 for six furlongs, and 1:39.98.

Velazquez was able to get Irish Mission off the fence in mid-stretch, and she was able to wear down Viva Rafaela in the final 70 yards.

“She broke good, put her right behind the speed just held her there, come out at the eighth pole, and when I needed her, she responded,” Velazquez said. “She made me look good. I know this filly really well, and it worked out today that I had her covered up.”

Irish Mission, a 5-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway, covered the 1 3/8 miles in 2:15.01 and returned $8.50 as the 3-1 favorite.

Viva Rafaela held second by a neck over Caroline Thomas. She was followed, in order, by Watsdachances, Aigue Marine, Cat’s Claw, Emotional Kitten, and Pleasant Cat.

Clement said he would point Irish Mission to a Grade 1 race such as the Flower Bowl at Belmont Park or the Rodeo Drive at Santa Anita – both races are Sept. 27 – or the E.P. Taylor at Woodbine on Oct. 19.