Ready for Rye helps Albertrani break out of slump in Swale

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Trainer Tom Albertrani turned frustration into elation in one memorable afternoon, sending out his first three winners of the Gulfstream Park meet on Saturday, topped by Ready for Rye, who posted a convincing 2 3/4-length victory over the odds-on Daredevil in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes.

Albertrani entered the day winless for the meet which began on Dec. 1, but quickly got that albatross off his back after Ocean Telegraph and Biz the Nurse won the second and fifth races on the card. But it was Ready for Rye who really made the day for Albertrani in his second start of the season.

With Luis Saez aboard, Ready for Rye stalked the early pace of X Y Jet, whose chances were compromised after stumbling badly leaving the gate. Ready for Rye readily gained the lead midway on the turn, quickly drew clear, and then easily held safe Daredevil despite remaining on his left lead to the wire.

Daredevil broke a step slow from the rail, rated about six lengths off the early leaders, saved ground into the stretch but offered only a mild rally, never menacing the winner while easily the best of the others. Senor Grits finished another 10 lengths farther back in third.

Ready for Rye, who finished second behind Barbados as the favorite making his 3-year-old debut in the Spectacular Bid on Jan. 3, completed seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:22.39 and paid $14.60.

“It’s a relief. It’s been real frustrating up to now,” said Albertrani, who trains Ready for Rye for Chalk Racing. “I think we’re up to about 12 second-place finishes. Maybe my luck changed yesterday when they put my number up instead of down. But it’s sure been a great day.”

Albertrani said he was a little disappointed when the Swale was postponed last week due to heavy rain because Ready for Rye had run so well over a sloppy track when he won his maiden in his final start at 2.

“I’d have liked to have run him on a wet track, but the extra week didn’t hurt us,” said Albertrani. “I was able to get another work into him on Monday. So for me it didn’t make a difference really. I think he needed his first race against Barbados. I don’t tend to really tighten up on them off a layoff. He really came back like he needed the race and was a lot tighter for this one.

Albertrani said he will likely keep Ready for Rye sprinting while mentioning the seven-furlong Bay Shore on April 5 as a possible option for his next start.

“We broke okay, not great, but got the position we wanted,” said trainer Todd Pletcher, talking about Daredevil. “I thought he finished well considering the way the race was run and sets us up for stretching out next time.”