Palace continues to roll with victory in Forego Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Subscribing to the theory of striking while the iron is hot, trainer Linda Rice got herself and her continually improving sprint specialist Palace their second Grade 1 win of the meet after the former claimer cruised to a convincing 3 1/2-length victory over Big Business in Saturday’s $500,000 Forego.

Palace, a 5-year-old son of City Zip, added the seven-furlong Forego to his one-length victory four weeks earlier in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt. Palace also won the Grade 2 True North at Belmont Park in June.

With regular rider Cornelio Velasquez putting up a picture-perfect ride, Palace raced within easy striking distance of the pace-setting Zee Bros, who posted splits of 22.48 seconds and 45.23 for the opening quarter and half-mile over what had been a speed-conducive main track throughout the afternoon. Velasquez found ample room to slip Palace inside the tiring leader when launching his bid once settling into the stretch, after which the only issue in doubt was the final margin of victory.

Big Business out-finished Vyjack by a neck to finish second with Capo Bastone rallying belatedly to be fourth.

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Clearly Now, the even-money favorite exiting an easy victory eight weeks earlier in the Grade 3 Belmont Sprint, was hung wide throughout and had nothing left after making a mild run on the turn, ultimately finishing ninth in the field of 10 older horses.

Palace, who is owned by Anthony Miuccio, completed the distance over the very fast track in 1:21.95 and paid $10.60.

“Palace is just a really terrific talent, and when he’s good, I need to use him because on several cases, I had to stop on him, turn him out, and give him a break,” said Rise. “When a horse is training as well as he is, I don’t know how long I can keep him that good. So while he’s good, I want to run him. Mr. Miuccio has allowed me to stop on him whenever I need to, and obviously, it’s paid off.”

Rice said there was some concern the main track had favored frontrunners prior to the Forego.

“I spoke to Cornelio about how the track had been favoring speed,” said Rice. “This horse really enjoys to stalk and close behind a fast pace. When you’re going seven furlongs, you really need to let him use his speed. And he gave him a beautiful ride.”

Rice said the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park on Sept. 27 would be next for Palace, who earned an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Sprint by virtue of his victory in the Forego.