McLaughlin's back-up horse Farhaan takes Alydar

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin probably felt good about his chances of winding up in the winner’s circle following Sunday’s $100,000 Alydar Stakes at Saratoga. But it’s not likely he expected to be there with Farhaan, who stole the show from his multiple Grade 1-winning stablemate Alpha by scoring a convincing 3 1/4-length victory under the red-hot Irad Ortiz.

Farhaan had not started since finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Ben Ali at Keeneland four months ago. But he was fit and ready off the bench. Taking advantage of an honest pace, Farhaan advanced boldly from between horses on the second bend, engaged the leaders three -wide into the stretch, surged clear at the head of the lane, and won going away.

Stormin Monarcho engaged Alpha for command into the stretch but proved no match for the winner, finishing five lengths clear while easily second best. Alpha, making his first start since February and a two-time Grade 1 winner at Saratoga, had to fight for the lead around the clubhouse turn and offered little resistance when challenged by his stablemate in early stretch, gradually weakening to finish third.

Dawly, Csaba, and Easter Gift rounded out the complete order of finish.

Farhaan, who won a pair of stakes over the Aqueduct inner track last winter for his owners, Shadwell Stable, covered the distance in 1:49.87 and paid $17.80. The win was the third on the day from as many mounts for Ortiz, two of those victories coming for McLaughlin.

“We thought Alpha would be able to win but he kind of got jammed up on the first turn, went a little quick and almost ran off with Johnny [Velazquez] down the backside,” said McLaughlin. “It wasn’t an ideal situation for him but that’s why we had Farhaan as a back-up plan, and it worked out great. He kind of exceeded our expectations, but they went so fast early it set up well for him and Irad is riding unbelievable right now. It was great to see this horse run this well off a four-month layoff. And he’s by Jazil, so that’s kind of neat for me.”