Market Alert turns great setup into Saginaw triumph

ELMONT, N.Y. - Market Alert took advantage of a great setup to help trainer Jim Ryerson salvage a frustrating meet by winning Sunday’s $100,000 Saginaw Stakes on closing day of the Belmont Park spring/summer season.

Sitting fourth under Jose Ortiz behind a three-ply speed duel, Market Alert moved into second approaching the quarter pole and outfinished a stubborn Therisastormbrewin to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Therisastormbrewin, who dueled between rivals through a half-mile in 45.50 seconds, finished second by 1 1/2 lengths over Brooklyn Strong. Listentoyourheart, Daddy Knows, and Jemography completed the order of finish.

Market Alert covered the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:43.20 and returned $6.80 as the second choice.

The Saginaw was the fifth win from 19 starts for Market Alert, a 4-year-old gelding by D’Funnybone owned by WellSpring Stables. It was just the second win from 48 starts at this meet for Ryerson, who had eight seconds and nine thirds as well.

“We closed it out,” Ryerson said.

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Both Ryerson and Ortiz mentioned how difficult Market Alert can be at times. He’ll freeze in the post parade or might not readily come out of his stall after being saddled. Last time, he broke through the starting gate prior to the official start of the race.

Sunday, he seemed better behaved, and then was able to work out a great trip under Ortiz.

“When Daddy Knows got in the fight it helped me because they went from 23 to 45 so that clearly helped me in the end,” Ortiz said, referring to the early fractions of 23.10 and 45.50. “[Therisastormbrewin] ran a hell of a race; he fought with everybody and then he kept going. I’m happy for Jimmy and the owners and the horse, too. He’s a nice horse. Mentally he’s tough to deal with, but we're getting him figured out.”

Said Ryerson: “He’s kind of reinvented himself with a little distance. He was able to adapt to the pace. Today, there was a lot of speed, he was able to rate, all the things you’d hope.”

Ryerson said he would definitely look to run Market Alert in the $125,000 Evan Shipman Stakes going one mile at Saratoga on Aug. 12.