Saratoga: Hessonite cruises to victory in Irish Linnet

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.- After suffering narrow setbacks at the hands of arch rival Gitchee Goomie in each of her last two starts, Hessonite got a bit of a breather on Friday, cruising to an easy 4 1/4-length victory over Inimitable Romance in the $100,000 Irish Linnet stakes decided over a yielding turf course at Saratoga.

[Complete coverage of racing at Saratoga: News, PPs, and video]

With Gitchee Goomie passing the one-mile Irish Linnet, Hessonite appeared a stand out over her seven overmatched rivals and made the most of the opportunity for owners William Punk Jr. and Philip DiLeo and trainer David Donk.

Ridden confidently from the outset by Ramon Dominguez, Hessonite rated kindly about five lengths off a fast pace set by Mystic City and pressed by Considerate while saving ground for six furlongs. Hessonite was angled outside by Dominguez to commence her bid nearing the stretch, readily overtook the tiring leaders approaching the eighth pole, quickly drew off, and won as much the best.

Inimitable Romance also took advantage of the fast pace, rallying for second while never a threat to the winner. Considerate finished a tiring third.

Hessonite, a New York bred daughter of Freud, completed the mile in 1:36.41 over a course softened by overnight and early morning showers. She paid $3.30.

"Ramon rides her with so much confidence," said Donk. "You just need to get the trip. She runs over almost any kind of ground 0 that was not an issue. My only concern was whether they were going to stay on the grass. Then Monmouth was maybe an alternative on Sunday."

Donk entered Hessonite in Monmouth Park's Matchmaker Stakes as insurance in the event the Irish Linnet came off the grass.

Donk said the Yaddo and another possible confrontation with Gitchee Goomie could be next for Hessonite here on Aug. 17.