Pandagate rallies to victory in New York Derby

Pandagate had to work for it, but he returned to the races with a victory in the $159,000 New York Derby on Monday at Finger Lakes, keeping rising talent Doc Sullivan at bay by three-quarters of a length in the feature for 3-year-old New York-breds.

Pandagate ($4.70), a son of Arrogate trained by Christophe Clement for the partnership of the Adelphi Racing Club, Madaket Stables, Corms Racing Stable, and On The Rise Again Stable, had not been seen at the races since finishing third behind Forever Young – the Kentucky Derby third-place finisher – in the Group 2 U.A.E. Derby in March. Meanwhile, the consistent Doc Sullivan, who had been second to Pandagate in the Gander Stqkes earlier this year, won a pair of races, including the Mike Lee Stakes in June at Saratoga. Those efforts made Doc Sullivan, trained by Michael Miceli for Tristar Farm, the post-time favorite.

It was Skyler’s Starship, the second-longest shot on the board, who showed the way in the New York Derby, leading by a length through a moderate half-mile in 49.38 seconds on a track rated fast. Doc Sullivan and Javier Castellano were tracking comfortably in second and in the clear at that stage. Meanwhile, Pandagate and jockey Dylan Davis were fifth of six, just more than 2 1/2 lengths off the lead. As the field approached the far turn, Davis fanned his mount five wide to make a steady run.

Coming into the stretch, Skyler’s Starship gamely put up a defense as Doc Sullivan came to even terms. Meanwhile, Pandagate had found his best stride and came to the top two to make it three across the track. Pandagate stuck a long neck in front in midstretch and gradually edged away to his final margin at the wire. He finished the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.63.

It was 2 1/2 lengths back to Skyler’s Starship, who held third by a neck over Elysian Meadows. Aggelos the Great and Merlin’s Moment rounded out the order of finish.

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The New York Derby traditionally leads to the $250,000 Albany Stakes for statebred sophomores on Aug. 25 at Saratoga. However, the race also has a history of propelling its winners into open-company success, such as with two millionaire recent winners Bankit (2019) and Americanrevolution (2021), the latter a Grade 1 winner later that season.

Earlier on the card, Caldwell Luvs Gold overhauled Sweet Brown Sugar in the stretch and was unchallenged as she drew off to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $75,000 New York Oaks.

Sweet Brown Sugar is a multiple stakes winner, including a pair of stakes at Finger Lakes, but came in having never raced beyond 6 1/2 furlongs. As is her custom, she was away sharply in the New York Oaks and led through a quarter in 24.88 and a very moderate half in 50.70, an ideal tempo for her. However, Caldwell Luvs Gold ($2.90) and jockey Manny Franco were on her hip and just a half-length back through that half. Caldwell Luvs Gold moved ahead into the stretch, and Sweet Brown Sugar was unable to put up a serious fight, with the winner cruising to the wire. Caldwell Luvs Gold finished the 1 1/16 miles in 1:46.22.

After the top two, it was a long way, 9 1/4 lengths, to Purpose in third. More than 18 lengths after that filly came Dharma, Dreamery, and Thirteen Red Flags.

Caldwell Luvs Gold, who is trained by Brad Cox for Dicke Racing, has now won three times from nine career starts. In addition to statebred scores in the Seeking the Ante last summer at Saratoga and, now, the New York Oaks, she has placed in four other stakes in her home state.

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