Pioneering Spirit claims first stakes victory in Bernard Baruch
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Former claimer Pioneering Spirit got back on the winning track and did so in a big way, becoming a stakes winner for the first time with a convincing 2 3/4-length victory over another former claiming horse, Bring Me a Check, in the $150,000 Bernard Baruch on Monday, closing day, of the 2023 Saratoga meet.
Pioneering Spirit, claimed by Rice for $40,000 out of a maiden race during the spring at Aqueduct, had his four race winning streak snapped but while becoming Grade 1-placed in the process when finishing third in the Sword Dancer on August 26. He was the last horse entered in the 1 1/16-mile Baruch after Rice made a last minute decision to bring him back on just nine days rest for the race.
With Jose Lezcano aboard for the first time, Pioneering Spirit rated within easy striking distance of the pace setting Bring Me a Check for six furlongs, was angled wide while sent hard to join the leaders into the stretch, gained command a furlong from home then edged clear under strong handling to the end.
Bring Me a Check showed the way into the stretch, relinquished command to Emaraaty after seven furlongs then fought back gamely along the inside to prove second best, a neck better than Public Sector. Emaraaty weakened gradually to finish fourth while Wit, the 9-5 favorite, finished fifth and last.
Pioneering Spirit, a 4-year-old son of American Pharoah, paid $8.20 after completing the distance in 1:40.69 seconds over a firm course.
“The horse is just a dream, every horse you claim should be that good,” Rice said with a laugh. “The ride Jose Lezcano put on today was just masterful. We talked about it in the paddock and he [Lezcano] said ‘Linda I need to be closer today’ and he was right. It was wonderful. I think his distance limitations are boundless, he can run a mile and one half, he might go two miles, but he’s not pace dependent per se. He can switch it up from short to long. Obviously this was a mile and a sixteenth and I had a little bit of concern. I thought maybe they would set a fast pace and he could close into it. Jose Lezcano came to the paddock and he convinced me he was going to be closer. He’s a fantastic turf rider.”
Rice said she felt it was not an issue wheeling Pioneering Spirit back on short rest.
“I think the key is to let young horses mature into older horses, they are less likely to get injured, but once they are older, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, they can handle more racing more frequently,” Rice said.
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