Iron Dome just too good in Albany after key scratch

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – What projected to be a showdown between two of the top horses in the 3-year-old New York-bred division ended at scratch time Thursday with the defection of Train the Trainer from the $200,000 Albany Stakes. The scratch resulted in another one-sided victory for the red-hot Iron Dome, who drew off to an easy, 6 3/4-length decision over Hit the Post and three other over-matched rivals in the afternoon’s main event at Saratoga.

Iron Dome, still a maiden when the meet began, came into the Albany having won his last two starts by a combined 21 1/2 lengths for trainer Steve Asmussen. He figured to get all he could handle from Train the Trainer who has won his last three outings including the New York Derby at Finger Lakes by four lengths on July 14.

But with Train the Trainer back in his stall at post time, Iron Dome had little trouble extending his streak while under confident handling from start to finish under regular rider Jose Ortiz. Rating off the early pace of New York Derby runner-up Hit the Post before moving readily to engage the leader midway on the second turn. Hit the Post briefly resisted the challenge into the stretch before Iron Dome asserted his superiority, steadily increasing his advantage under pressure through the final furlong.

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Hit the Post held on to be second best, finishing 1 1/2 lengths in front of King’s Leap who flattened out after moving to closer contention leaving the final turn. Just Licorice and Sky Masterson rounded out the order of finish while never a serious factor, with the former vanned off after the race.

Iron Dome is a son of Into Mischief owned in part by his breeders, Chester and Mary Broman in partnership with L and N Racing, and is a half-brother to Mr. Buff, an 11-time stakes winner who earned $1.4 million during his career. The winner completed the 1 1/8-mile distance over a fast track in 1:51.78 seconds and paid $2.60.

“Obviously off his other-than win and his two mile and an eighths here, I wanted to give him this a chance, but then this morning with the key scratch [Train the Trainer] it kind of fell in his lap,” said Asmussen. “I’m very proud of this horse. He’s obviously a big, beautiful horse, a nice Broman New York-bred that is coming into his own. I was very excited about getting him when we did at Keeneland September being Mr. Buff’s little brother and always being a fan of his and all the success he had up here. He’s making the family proud.”

Asmussen said his biggest concern for Iron Dome was getting away cleanly from the gate.

“He’s a big body, my concern, especially with the scratch this morning, was him leaving there. With him back in 14 days, to jump away from there like that was key,” Asmussen added. “Jose [Ortiz] knows him and has a lot of confidence in him. Just let him do his thing.”

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