Red Rifle shows versatility in Bowling Green victory

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Red Rifle continued to show his versatility while seemingly improving with age after parlaying a picture-perfect ride by Javier Castellano into a 2 1/2-length victory over War Dancer in Saturday’s $250,000 Bowling Green at Saratoga.

The Grade 2 Bowling Green was marred when the 2-1 favorite Innovation Economy broke down near the five-furlong pole and had to be euthanized after the race.

Red Rifle completed a unique hat trick with his victory in the Bowling Green, now having won graded stakes races on turf, dirt, and synthetic surfaces.

Castellano allowed Red Rifle, a 5-year-old son of Giant’s Causeway, to save ground while rating near the rear of the field while still within striking distance of the pace-setting Iron Power. Red Rifle improved position while continuing along the inside entering the stretch, slipped through a narrow opening to challenge for command near the furlong grounds, and won going away.

War Dancer also saved ground early, angled out to launch his bid into the stretch, finished willingly, but proved no match for the winner while 1 1/4 lengths in front of the wide-running Imagining.

Red Rifle gave trainer Todd Pletcher his second straight graded stakes win on the card, coming on the heels of his victory with Rock Fall in the Grade 1 Vanderbilt. Red Rifle covered 13 furlongs over a firm course in 2:13.69 and paid $15.40.

“He’s maturing mentally and physically. He’s just found his groove this year,” said Pletcher. “We kind of stumbled on a new dimension, and we decided there was plenty of pace in the race, so we tried to take advantage of the one hole going three turns. He relaxed very kindly, got a super ride, and delivered a big performance. He’s kind of a throwback type of horse. He’s won big races on three different surfaces. He’s a gelding now, so we’ll just look for opportunities where he fits. All options are open.”