Palace stays close to win Vanderbilt

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The scratch of morning-line favorite Bakken from Saturday’s Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt was met with mixed emotions by Linda Rice, the trainer of Vanderbilt contender Palace.

Yes, it took a top contender out of the race. But it also took one of two speed horses in the field out of the race.

“I was concerned about the scratch of Bakken, and there wasn’t enough in pace in the race,” Rice said.

That scratch forced Rice to change tactics a little bit, and the move worked, as Palace, kept closer to the pace than usual by jockey Cornelio Velasquez, reeled in loose-on-the-lead Happy My Way in deep stretch to win the $350,000 Vanderbilt by one length at Saratoga.

Happy My Way, the 8-5 favorite, finished second by 2 1/2 lengths over Falling Sky. Vyjack, Capo Bastone, Lemon Drop Dream, and Bahamian Squall completed the order of finish.

Bakken, the 5-2 morning-line favorite, scratched due to a 104-degree temperature Saturday morning, according to trainer Chad Brown.

The win was the 10th in 20 career starts for Palace, a New York-bred son of City Zip. Rice, who trained City Zip to a Grade 1 Hopeful win here in 2000, claimed Palace for $20,000 for Antonino Miuccio on Oct. 12, 2012.

“I started out in the Grade 1s with 2-year-old purchases, and now I’ve had to go to Plan B, and we had to claim our way to the Grade 1s,” Rice said. “It’s great.”

Breaking from the rail, Velasquez had Palace within 2 1/2 lengths while racing in the second flight behind Happy My Way, who, under Joe Bravo, set fractions of 22.13 seconds for the quarter and 44.45 for the opening half-mile.

Approaching the quarter pole, Velasquez moved Palace into second place, and in upper stretch, he guided him off the rail and set sail for Happy My Way. Palace caught Happy My Way in the final 20 yards and drew clear.

Palace covered six furlongs in 1:08.56 and returned $6.20 as the second choice.

“I wanted to stay close,” Velasquez said. “If I don’t stay close, I don’t beat him.”

Said Rice: “We discussed in the paddock he was going to have to work harder in order to be close,” Rice said. “I told him, ‘Take him away from the pony, warm him up good, and go to him soon.’ ”

Though Happy My Way was beaten, trainer Joe Orseno said he was “ecstatic” with the performance. Happy My Way hadn’t run since winning the Maryland Sprint Handicap on Preakness Day. Orseno said his goal is the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita on Nov. 1.

“I knew he was coming over here just a little short,” Orseno said. “The grand scheme of things for me is November, and he proved today he belongs. “

Palace and Happy My Way could meet again in the Grade 1 Vosburgh at Belmont Park on Sept. 27. Rice said she also might consider the Grade 1 Forego here Aug. 30.