Randomized takes lead, never relinquishes it in Wilton Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Randomized rebounded from a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Acorn Stakes last month with a front-running, 1 1/2-length victory in Friday’s $125,550 Wilton Stakes at Saratoga.

Just Katherine, who stumbled at the break of the one-mile race, recovered to run a solid second, 10 lengths clear of Unsung Melody. It was another 12 1/4 lengths back to Accede, who went favored by $1,954 over her stablemate Randomized.

Sacred Wish was scratched to run in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 22, trainer George Weaver said.

In the Acorn, Randomized got caught behind horses and may not have appreciated getting dirt kicked in her face.

Friday, breaking from the outside post in the quartet of 3-year-old fillies, Irad Ortiz Jr. seemed intent on getting Randomized to the lead, asking his filly for run out of the gate and clearing Unsung Melody and Luis Saez entering the turn.

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Randomized ran splits of 24.18 seconds for the quarter, 47.49 for the half, 1:11.27 for six furlongs, and covered the mile in 1:35.83. Randomized, a daughter of Nyquist owned by Seth Klarman and trained by Chad Brown, returned $4.60.

Ortiz said it was his goal to get to the lead, but was aware Unsung Melody, to his inside under Luis Saez, might also want that position.

“That was my goal to be on the lead without using too much,” Ortiz said. “If my filly broke the way she broke I would go for it. I was able to clear him so it was perfect.”

Randomized is now 2 for 4 with both wins coming in front-running fashion.

“It might prove to be that she’s happiest there,” Brown said.

In considering next spots for Randomized, Brown mentioned cutting her back to seven furlongs, perhaps in a race like the Grade 1 Test on Aug. 5.

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As happy as he was with Randomized, Brown was disappointed to see Accede run a second consecutive poor race.

“This filly ran so well at Churchill, now two times in a row she’s had disappointing results,” he said. “I think she’ll be a fine horse, I’ll just go back to the drawing board with her.”

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