Mrs. Sippy tops Motion-trained exacta in Glens Falls

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mrs. Sippy made her U.S. debut a winning one and led a one-two finish along with stablemate Empressof the Nile for trainer Graham Motion after parlaying a ground-saving ride by Joel Rosario into a three-quarter-length victory in Saturday’s 250,000 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga. Santa Monica, the 8-5 favorite, finished a tiring third after having taken a brief lead in early stretch.

Mrs. Sippy, a 4-year-old homebred daughter of Blame owned by Andrew Stone, joined Motion’s barn at Fair Hill earlier this summer after opening her 2019 campaign with a pair of disappointing efforts in England. Motion had originally planned on launching her U.S. career in an allowance race, but when that failed to fill, his only option became the Grade 2 Glens Fall.

With Joel Rosario aboard, Mrs. Sippy dropped back to last shortly after the start, rushed up inside rivals to improve her position entering the opening bend before moving up in behind the pacesetting Lady Montdore as the field approached the far turn. Mrs. Sippy got shuffled back a bit while remaining along the rail as Santa Monica made a big move outside horses to challenge for command nearing the quarter pole. She tipped out slightly to commence her bid at the head of the lane, squeezed through a narrow opening to challenge for command nearing the furlong grounds and, after drawing clear, withstood a final surge from Empressof the Nile.

Empessof the Nile raced close up during the early stages of the 1 3/8-mile Glens Falls, lost position on the final turn, swung wide for the drive and finished best of all to easily best the others. Santa Monica rated early at the rear of the field, made a steadily run outside rivals to ultimately overtake the leader between calls in early stretch but proved no match for the top pair through the final furlong.

Mrs. Sippy, who was racing on Lasix for the first time in the Glens Falls, completed the distance 2:13.62 over the firm inner course,and paid $14.60.

“I have to give Andrew Scott the credit,” said Motion, who watched the race from Colonial Downs where he had three horses running in the Grade 3 Virginia Derby later Saturday evening. “They really liked her last season, but she’d been disappointing this year, so he felt she needed a change in scenery and he sent her over here. I actually tried to enter her in an allowance race, but they kept not using it, so she wound up in the stakes instead.”

Motion was quick to praise Rosario for his effort in the Glens Falls.

“It was a great ride by Joel,” said Motion. “I was trying to watch Mrs. Sippy on the screen and every time I switched my glance to look at the other filly I kept losing her because Joel had kind of snuck up another place along the rail.”

Motion was also pleased by the performance turned in by Empressof the Nile in defeat.

“She’s been running really well right along and I thought she ran huge again today,” said Motion.

As for looking down the road, Motion said he felt the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf might now become the primary goal for Mrs. Sippy.

“I think you’ve got to think about getting her to the big one at the end of the year,” said Motion. “I think she belongs off that type of performance.”