Ring Weekend impressive in Saranac
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Graham Motion said he always thought that Ring Weekend might be a little better on turf than dirt. Ring Weekend confirmed that theory with an impressive 2 3/4-length victory over the pace-setting Smooth Daddy in Monday’s $300,000 Saranac, the final stakes of the 2014 Saratoga meeting.
Ring Weekend had made just one start on grass before coming to Saratoga this summer, finishing second in a maiden special weight race in his 3-year-old debut early this winter at Gulfstream Park. A son of Tapit, Ring Weekend subsequently won the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and finished second in the Calder Derby, both on dirt, before tailing off with disappointing efforts in the Preakness at Pimlico and Grade 3 Pegasus in June at Monmouth Park.
With John Velazquez aboard for the first time, Ring Weekend returned to the turf to finish second in the Sir Cat Stakes earlier in the meet. And it was Velazquez who orchestrated a perfect trip for Ring Weekend from just off the pace in the 1 1/8-mile Saranac
Ring Weekend tipped off the inside to engage Smooth Daddy in early stretch before edging away through the final furlong. Smooth Daddy was easily second, finishing 4 3/4 lengths in front of Cabo Cat in third.
The win was the third on the card for Velazquez, who also rode Competitive Edge to victory in the Grade 1 Hopeful several hours earlier, and the 10th of the meet for Motion. Ring Weekend, who is owned by St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds, completed the distance in 1:34.70 over a “good” course and paid $5.10.
“It was great win, I’m thrilled for the horse,” said Motion, who was not in attendance at Saratoga. “He really got off the track a little at Monmouth. I do think he’s perhaps a superior turf horse, but obviously he can run on the dirt, too, so it gives us a lot of options. Johnny gave him a great trip - he put him in a super spot - and I was impressed with the way he won. He did it comfortably and in good time. The last weeks have been a little slow for our stable. We’ve had a lot of seconds and thirds, but this was a great way to end what’s been a very good meet for us.”