'Textbook' takes Yaddo on dirt

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Textbook Method splashed through the slop to win Friday's $84,775 Yaddo Handicap at Saratoga by 4 1/4 lengths.

Indy Mood for Luv finished second and was 3 1/2 lengths in front of the 6-5 favorite, Shopping for Love.

A fierce thunderstorm blew through Saratoga early in the afternoon and knocked the 1 1/8-mile Yaddo for New York-bred fillies and mares off the grass onto the main track at the same distance.

The surface switch reduced the field to eight. Indy Glory, who was a main-track only entry, was scratched before the storm hit because trainer John Kimmel trained the filly in the morning as if she wouldn't run. There was a delay in the announcement of the scratch because the stewards weren't aware Indy Glory didn't receive her Lasix shot at the required time of four hours before post time until later in the day.

There was a short delay at the gate when Shopping for Love and Indy Mood for Luv acted up before the start. Shopping for Love reared up and unseated jockey Jerry Bailey. Both horses were removed from the gate and checked by the track veterinarian before they were cleared to start.

Bailey said the incident didn't help Shopping for Love's chances. "She left there mean and mad," Bailey said.

Textbook Method, under Jose Santos, set the pace with Shopping for Love and Lovely Amanda not far behind. After briefly losing the lead to Shopping for Love around the turn, Textbook Method determinedly fought back and drew away in the stretch. Indy Mood for Luv made a big move around the turn but wasn't able to catch the winner.

Textbook Method ($28.40) covered the distance in 1:51.42.

Owned by Paul Pompa Jr. and trained by Rene Araya, Textbook Method won her turf debut in her last start, a 1 1/16-mile race. Araya said Santos told him after a dirt sprint this spring the 4-year-old filly would do well stretching out.

"She's gotten better with age," Araya said.