New York Central upsets Saudia Sprint

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – A severe early pace foiled the front-runner, and top American sprinter Imperial Hint failed to fire. That left New York Central and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. to post a surprise victory in the $1.5 million Saudia Sprint on Saturday evening at King Abdulaziz Racetrack.

A Grade 3 winner when he campaigned last year in the United States, New York Central collared speedball Matera Sky in deep stretch to win by a head as Imperial Hint and fellow American shipper Captain Scotty were left reeling.

It was a head-scratching result, because New York Central’s resume was modest. Perhaps so was the Saudia Sprint field. Pre-race favorite Imperial Hint’s campaign and training pattern hinted at vulnerability. A four-time Grade 1 winner, he chased the pace and folded, finishing 12th.

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Ortiz took advantage of optimum conditions. He and New York Central settled far off the apparently blazing early fractions set by Matera Sky. At the top of the stretch, Matera Sky opened up a sizable lead, but in the middle of the stretch he was gasping.

Matera Sky tired badly, Ortiz and New York Central rallied outside and collared the pacesetter in the shadow of the wire. Matera Sky actually ran super in defeat. Gladiator King finished third.

Imperial Hint and Captain Scotty, American runners positioned closest to the pacesetter, were spent at the head of the stretch. Captain Scotty finished sixth.

Ortiz and New York Central were far back early.

“For a second, I thought I was too far back turning for home, but as soon as I started to ask my horse he started to pick it up and give me some run,” Ortiz said. “Then I knew I had a chance. The other horse [Matera Sky] started stopping and was coming back fast. So I kept riding and I still had a chance to get there on time.”

Previously trained by Steve Asmussen, New York Central was a Grade 3 winner last year before being sold to local owner Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz. The 5-year-old was making his first start since fall; his trainer is Sami Al Harabi.