Takeover Target takes Hall of Fame Stakes

SARATOGA, N.Y. – Trainer Chad Brown’s decision to start four horses in the $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes paid dividends when one member of his quartet of 3-year-old grass specialists, Takeover Target, surged late to outfinish A Lot by a half-length to win the Grade 2 turf fixture Friday at Saratoga.

Takeover Target benefited from a well-judged ride by Irad Ortiz Jr., who placed the son of Harlan’s Holiday within easy striking distance of the leaders while racing near the inside for the opening seven furlongs of the 1 1/16-mile Hall of Fame. Takeover Target eased out for clearance once settling into the stretch, then finished strong between horses to run down and then outgame A Lot to the wire.

A Lot raced forwardly placed outside horses, gained a brief advantage between calls near midstretch, but could not quite match strides with the winner at the end. A Lot finished a half-length better than stablemate Courtier, who held on willingly to be third while making his first start in more than six months.

Although Takeover Target got the victory, Brown emerged from the race with somewhat mixed emotions, with none of his other starters able to finish better than fifth in the field of 11 3-year-olds. They were Startup Nation (fifth), Winter Springs (sixth), and Night Prowler (last).

Takeover Target is owned by the partnership of Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence. He paid $10.40 after negotiating the distance in 1:42.00 over the firm course.

“You got to take as many shots as you can up here, and we’re lucky enough to have four horses good enough to run in a race like this,” said Brown. “Hopefully, they’ll all come out of the race okay.”

Brown said he felt the turnback in distance was a plus for Takeover Target, who finished fifth in the 1 1/4-mile Belmont Derby in his previous start.

“When you have a 3-year-old in the spring who looks talented, you’re dreaming of that Belmont Derby that they made, and it just wasn’t his trip going a mile and one-quarter,” said Brown. “A little cutback in distance today and some class relief back to a Grade 2, and it did the trick for this horse.”

Brown said the 1 1/8-mile Saranac could be next for Takeover Target. He added that he was a little disappointed in the performance of some of his other Hall of Fame Stakes contenders.

“Especially with Night Prowler running last,” said Brown. “Javier [Castellano] said during the race he didn’t feel like the same horse, so he just protected him. He’s a much better horse than that. Winter Springs, first time in the country, was far behind on a slow pace. He did make a move down the lane in the center of the track and galloped out strong. Startup Nation, he was midpack, looked like he got a decent trip, and just sort of held his place.”