Sweet Whiskey makes the most of class relief

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After making a dozen consecutive starts against stakes company, 11 of them in graded races, since winning her debut here at 2, Sweet Whiskey finally dropped into the allowance ranks here Monday and made the most of the opportunity, registering a 4 1/2-length triumph.

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Sweet Whiskey, 4, won the Grade 3 Old Hat at Gulfstream in her 3-year-old debut, and finished second behind Sweet Reason that June in the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont. She also had a near miss last year in the Grade 3 Beaumont at Keeneland and earlier this year in the Grade 2 Inside Information at Gulfstream Park. But after Sweet Whiskey tired badly trying two turns for the first time in the Grade 1 La Troienne in May at Churchill Downs, trainer Todd Pletcher felt it was time to give her a little confidence booster.

“It was kind of a failed experiment trying to stretch her out at Churchill, so we decided to back her up, and that it was also time to give her a little class relief and regroup,” said Pletcher. “I thought this was an impressive effort.”

Pletcher said Monday’s race may turn out to be a prep for the Ballerina here on Aug. 29.