Saratoga Harness: Idealsomemagic A rallies, tallies in Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial
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For the second Saturday in a row George Brennan left his home track at Yonkers for a major stakes race and came home with a major upset. On Saturday night at Saratoga Casino Hotel, Brennan guided 27-1 shot Idealsomemagic A from well off-the- pace to a surprise 1:50 victory in the $250,000 Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial.
The race appeared to be made for speed with 2-5 choice Tattoo Artist and Jason Bartlett starting from post three and getting around Borgata champion Hellabalou off the first turn to cut an opening fraction of 27 seconds. Tattoo Artist had firm control at the half in 55 3/5 when Covered Bridge and Jordan Stratton took up the chase without cover, followed by Idealsomemagic A.
The outsider tier appeared hopelessly compromised as Bartlett hit the accelerator, and last year's Gerrity winner Tattoo Artist responded with a 26 3/5 third quarter, opening ground on the pocket-sitter, as well as those who chose to go overland with three-quarters clocked in 1:22 1/5.
Brennan wasn't getting much help from his cover, so he sent Idealsomemagic A wide on the final turn, and the imported son of American Ideal took off like a freight train, blowing by the leader in the final stride of his career-best mile. Tattoo Artist settled for second with Hellabalou third in the mile.
VIP Internet Stable and Stratton Stable Inc. own Idealsomemagic A, who was a winner for the 12th time in 2023 for trainer Cory Stratton. As a 27-1 outsider he returned $56 to win.
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On the undercard, a pair of Huntsville-sired geldings captured two divisions of the New York Sire Stakes for 2-year-old male pacers.
Huhtingforchrome and driver Joe Bongiorno established a new track record in the $74,500 first split, rolling out of the pocket to pace over favorite Avenger Force and score in 1:53 flat. Robert DiNozzi owns the gelding who is trained by Jenn Bongiorno.
Driver Mark MacDonald and Darius took advantage of an early miscue from heavy favorite Boston Rocks in capturing the $75,900 second Sire Stakes section in 1:54 4/5. Darius is owned by Seahunt Farms LLC. and trained by Ray Schnittker. He won for the third time in as many starts this year.