Stradale, on turf again, edges Oscar's Hope in Mahony upset

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Steve Asmussen may not have a reputation as an elite turf sprint trainer, but he certainly enhanced his status in that category this weekend at Saratoga. He followed Friday’s popular victory by Zeitlos in the Smart And Fancy Stakes by sending out Stradale here Sunday to outlast Oscar’s Hope by a neck and upset the $225,000, Grade 3 Mahony Stakes.

Stradale had made his first eight career starts on dirt before switching to the turf for the first time to finish a late-running fourth in the Grade 3 Quick Call here last month. But he showed vastly improved speed in the Mahony with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard and after breaking alertly from his outside post.

Stradale stalked the pace of Intricate Spirit - another who came from far back after a slow start in the Quick Call - from the outset of the 5 1/2-furlong Mahony. He disposed of Intricate Spirit when sharply roused by Ortiz on settling into the stretch, gradually edged clear, then withstood the late-running runner-up under steady urging to the end.

Oscar’s Hope, who was making his turf debut on Sunday, checked back to last from between horses in the opening furlong, circled wide while advancing around the turn and finished best of all down the center of the course. The slow-starting Rebel With a Cause rallied mildly to finish another 1 1/2 lengths farther back in third.

Outfielder, the prohibitive 4-5 favorite, raced within easy striking distance throughout, but lacked a closing response and finished a disappointing fourth. He was followed, in order, by Learntodiscover, Big Destroyer, and the tiring Intricate Spirit.

Stradale, a 3-year-old son of Yaupon owned by Kaleem Shah Inc., completed the distance over a firm course in 1:03.34 seconds and paid $16.20 for his third win in 10 starts and first graded stakes victory.

“I think the break made the biggest difference today," said Scott Blasi, assistant to Asmussen, who was en route to attend his son Keith’s wedding to Andie Biancone in Nashville on Tuesday. “I think he likes to run a little closer like that. Jose (Ortiz) said when he jumped out of there it gave him some confidence, and then he was able to put him on the bridle. And he finished up strong.”

As for switching Stradale to the turf in his last start, Blasi said, “the Yaupons seem to be doing it all, winning at every level. And I think we saw enough in his last race that we’d give him another shot today. And we’re glad we did.”

As for winning two turf sprint stakes in 48 hours, Blasi said with a laugh, “everybody knows we can train any kind of horse.”

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