Pure Silver to face talented new shooters in Spinaway

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Having won all three of her starts, including the Grade 2 Adirondack by 9 1/2 lengths, it would seem logical that Pure Silver should have little trouble adding Saturday’s Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga to her already impressive résumé. She faces just four rivals, all of whom are still eligible for an entry-level allowance race.

But the seven-furlong Spinaway is no walkover for Pure Silver, who squares off against a pair of promising runaway debut winners, Separationofpowers and Lady Ivanka.

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Pure Silver’s trainer, Todd Pletcher, has already won the Spinaway six times, including last summer with Sweet Loretta, who dead-heated with Pretty City Dancer.

Pure Silver, a New York-bred daughter of Mission Impazible, beat statebred opposition in her first two starts, including the six-furlong Lynbrook at Belmont Park on July 18. She ventured into open company for the first time here earlier in the meet in the 6 1/2-furlong Adirondack, and drew away despite an awkward start when she tossed her head at the break.

“She ran really well in the Adirondack, came out of it in good shape, and is training well,” said Pletcher, who trains Pure Silver for her breeder, Twin Creeks Racing Stables.

Pure Silver has been on the lead at every call in her three starts, but could face an early test in the Spinaway from Separationofpowers, who’ll break from the rail with Jose Ortiz aboard. Pure Silver begins her journey from post 4 under regular rider John Velazquez.

“I’d rather be outside of the other speed horses than inside of it,” said Pletcher when asked about the potential pace scenario. “Our filly is pretty fast, so if anyone is in front of her, they’ll have to be rolling. We’re not going to take back. We’re going to let her do her thing. “

Separationofpowers was bet to 9-5 for her debut going six furlongs here on July 30, and ran off the screen to an 11 3/4-length triumph for which she received an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She ran super the first time,” said trainer Chad Brown. “We felt confident she was a runner, we expected her to run very well, but when they go ahead and do that, that certainly was beyond our expectations. She’s an extremely talented horse and we’re looking forward to running her in the Spinaway.”

Brown said he doesn’t necessarily believe his filly needs to be on the lead as she was in her only start, or that she’ll have any issue getting the extra distance.

“She’s a pretty level-headed filly, so I don’t see her having any trouble stretching out,” said Brown. “And my horse won’t have any trouble rating if need be. She’s very kind.”

Lady Ivanka rallied to an eight-length victory here in her only start, which came just 24 days ago. She has trained extremely well for her stakes debut, turning in a bullet half-mile work in 47.04 seconds on Tuesday with her trainer, Rudy Rodriguez, in the saddle.

“It’s back a bit quick, but she’s doing well and it’s worth taking the shot in a Grade 1,” said Rodriguez.

A contested pace would be to the advantage of both Lady Ivanka and Maya Malibu.

Maya Malibu came off the pace to win her only start by six lengths as the 3-5 favorite for trainer Graham Motion launching her career four weeks ago at Delaware Park. She’ll have the services of Javier Castellano on Saturday. Obvious Two completes the field.