Prat sets riding record in tragedy-marred Saranac; The Big Torpedo euthanized
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Jockey Flavien Prat established a new record for stakes wins by a jockey at Saratoga by guiding West Hollywood to a 5 1/2-length victory over Yo Daddy in Friday’s $175,000 Saranac Stakes. The race was marred when the pacesetting The Big Torpedo broke down while still on the lead less than an eighth of a mile from the wire.
The Big Torpedo, who suffered a catastrophic left front leg injury and fell, became the first racing related casualty of the 2024 Saratoga meet.
Take Me To Church, who like the winner is trained by Brad Cox, also fell when unable to avoid the stricken leader. He was vanned off with what was initially reported to be just minor cuts and scrapes.
Eric Cancel, the rider of The Big Torpedo, walked off under his own power. Javier Castellano, who was aboard Take Me To Church, was taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.
West Hollywood gave Prat his 16th stakes winner of the session, eclipsing the old mark of 15 first set by John Velazquez in 2005 and matched by both Joel Rosario and Irad Ortiz Jr. in 2022. The Saranac was Prat’s 12th graded stakes win of the meet, equaling the record set by Rosario in 2022.
West Hollywood was making his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Saranac, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds. He had won two of his three starts since joining trainer Cox’s barn earlier this season, including a first-level allowance race here July 27.
Rating at the rear of the field under a snug hold down the backstretch, West Hollywood swung widest while making his bid into the stretch. He finished strongly down the center of the course, taking command when the leader broke down near midstretch before drawing off readily.
Yo Daddy, never far back while racing outside horses, finished best of the others to be second. He finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of The Process, who had to alter course briefly to avoid the incident at midstretch. Villain weakened during the latter stages and was fourth.
Take Me To Church was well positioned along the inside from the outset, got struck by The Big Torpedo when that one fell, and crashed into the inner rail losing his rider, Castellano, in the process.
West Hollywood, a son of Uncle Mo owned by Qatar Racing, completed was timed over the firm course in 1:40.89 and paid $4.70.
“Well, I would definitely like to win under a different condition, and all my thoughts are for the connections, the riders, and obviously the horses as well,” said Prat. “I wish it would’ve been different. Our horse ran his race. He ran a good race. That’s all.”
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