Tawny Port ups his game as turf marathoner with strong John's Call victory

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - After making his first 12 starts on dirt, Tawny Port has apparently found his true niche racing around three turns on the turf. He lent credence to that theory Wednesday by drawing off to a decisive 3 1/2-length victory over Sy Dog and four other foes in the $135,000 John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga.

The 1 5/8-mile John’s Call, a race restricted to horses who had not won a Grade 1 or 2 stakes on the turf in 2023, was marred when Burning Bright suffered what appeared to be a “major cardiovascular event,” per track officials, and died six furlongs into the race.

Burning Bright’s rider, Luis Saez, was alert, conscious, and moving all extremities, but complaining of pain in his shoulder and collarbone after the incident, according to a release put out by the New York Racing Association. He was transported to Albany Medical Center for further evaluation.

As a 3-year-old in 2022, Tawny Port won the Grade 3 Lexington and Ohio Derby and finished a late-running seventh in the Kentucky Derby under the tutelage of Brad Cox. He was transferred to Christophe Clement’s barn during the spring and made his turf debut here in the Grade 2 Bowling Green on July 30, finishing fifth after forcing the pace for over a mile of the 1 3/8-mile race.

Tawny Port broke alertly under Joel Rosario and stalked the early leader, Tide of the Sea, who raced well removed from the inner hedge while setting some lively fractions over the firm course. Tawny Port found ample room inside Tide of the Sea to take command a half-mile from the wire, turned back a strong bid from Good Skate on the final bend, opened a commanding advantage settling into the stretch, and remained in complete command while kept to vigorous handling to the end.

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Sy Dog, the slight post-time favorite at odds of 5-2, moved within easy striking distance approaching the stretch but proved no match for the winner while easily second best. Good Skate joined the winner on near equal terms nearing the quarter pole before tiring steadily down the lane.

The John’s Call lost its likely favorite when Pioneering Spirit was scratched earlier in the day to instead compete in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer on Saturday.

Clement’s son and assistant Miguel Clement mentioned several options for Tawny Port’s next start, including the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic at Aqueduct on Sept. 30, along with the Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland on Oct. 30.

“He’s always had a tremendous amount of ability, we saw that with his previous connections,” Miguel Clement said. “We thought he had an affinity for the turf and he was able to revive his old form.

“He’s got a high cruising speed. The mile and five-eighths today seemed ideal for him. The longer the better and I think he’s on to bigger and better things.”

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