Saratoga notes: Gargan makes $100,000 claim

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Action at the claim box was brisk through the first four days of the meet, with 20 horses being claimed for $585,000.

On Saturday, there was an 18-way shake for Velvet Cap, runner-up in race 11, who went to Rick Schosberg. There was a 12-way shake for that race’s winner, Road Agent, who went to Jamie Ness.

The most interesting claim, however, took place Monday, when owner-trainer Danny Gargan took the 5-year-old British-bred mare Sure Route for $100,000. Sure Route, who had a record of 3-7-1 from 24 previous starts, finished fifth, beaten three lengths, in that race.

“In the right situation, at a smaller-level track, she could be a stakes winner,” Gargan said. “In the wintertime, those filly stakes [at Aqueduct] come up small, and she might be able to win one of them.”

Gargan said Sure Route, who is stakes-placed, already has some residual value as a broodmare.

“She’s probably worth $75,000 right now as a broodmare, so you’re not risking the whole $100,000,” Gargan said. “You’re just putting in money to get it back later.”

Earlier this year, Mike Repole claimed Johannesburg Smile for $100,000 at Aqueduct. In three starts since, Johannesburg Smile was second in the Grade 3 Toboggan and third in the restricted Compelling Word Stakes. He has not raced since March 31, but on July 9, he showed up on the work tab at Jimmy Crupi’s farm in Ocala, Fla.

Treasured Up to Glens Falls

Though Treasured Up showed some ability on dirt in winning the off-the-turf Robert G. Dick Memorial at Delaware Park on July 13, trainer Al Stall Jr. said the 4-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly would make her next start on turf. Stall is pointing her to the Grade 3, $150,000 Glens Falls Handicap on Labor Day. The race covers 1 3/8 miles.

“She’s a three-turn horse for sure,” Stall said. “I guess she outgalloped an ordinary field the other day, but she’s come into her own. She’s a nice filly – beautiful, big, strong, good-looking horse. We gave her the whole winter off, and she really benefitted from it.”