Ironicus sets course record in Bernard Baruch

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Ironicus helped close out the Saratoga meeting with a record-setting performance Monday, rallying from last to an impressive 1 1/4-length victory over Grand Tito and five other rivals in the $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap.

Ironicus completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:38.54, eclipsing the old Mellon-turf-course record of 1:38.91 established by the beloved Fourstardave more than 24 years ago.

The Grade 2 Bernard Baruch was not on the original schedule that Shug McGaughey had penciled in for Ironicus when the meet began. But the Hall of Fame trainer said his horse was doing so well coming out of his heartbreaking neck setback in the Grade 2 Fourstardave that he decided to wheel him right back on just 23 days’ rest.

The two-time Grade 1 winner Constitution set the pace, as expected, with Ironicus taking his place near the rear of the field but not quite as far back as he was during the early stages of the Fourstardave. Constitution continued to show the way after six furlongs in a lively 1:09.44, but the field began to close in turning for home.

Ironicus angled wide while commencing his bid entering the stretch, then finished full of run down the center of the course to easily run by the leaders and win going away.

Grand Tito, well placed throughout, outfinished All Included by a nose to be second. Constitution finished a tiring fifth in his turf debut.
Ironicus, a homebred son of Distorted Humor owned by Stuart Janney III, paid $4.

“It was kind of a throw-in because after the Forestardave, I hadn’t really planned on running him again here,” said McGaughey. “But he came out of the race so good, and he hasn’t been running that much, so I thought we might as well give him a chance.”

McGaughey said he believed jockey Javier Castellano rode a very smart race.

“We were laying closer today behind a little bit of pace,” said McGaughey. “Javier felt like he was sitting on the best horse and said, ‘I’m not going to go wide today,’ and take a chance of getting hung out. I thought he rode another great race, and he was also sitting on a very good horse today.”

McGaughey said he has nothing picked out for Ironicus’s next start, with his ultimate goal being the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland on Oct. 31.