Thieves Guild wins second straight during comeback in Caress

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Thieves Guild remained perfect since returning from a 14 month layoff late this spring when she rallied from just off the pace to a 1 1/4-length victory over defending champ Free as a Bird in Sunday’s $100,000 Caress Stakes at Saratoga.

Thieves Guild, who launched her comeback with a similarly impressive three-length allowance win at Belmont Park on June 18, stalked the early pace under confident handling from jockey Jose Lezcano. A daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, Thieves Guild readily overtook the pacesetting Runway Ready in early stretch, quickly moved clear, and was not seriously threatened thereafter.

Free as a Bird, sent off the 7-5 favorite, was eased back to last in the run down the backstretch, swung five wide turning for home, and finished well but proved no match for the winner. Old Harbor rallied mildly to finish third, followed by Jewel of a Cat and Runway Ready.

Trained by James Toner for the Ninety North Racing Stable, Thieves Guild completed 5 1/2 furlongs over a firm turf course in a lively 1:00.82 and paid $5.50.

Toner said Thieves Guild had “a number of issues” that kept her laid off for more than a year, including a tibia fracture.

“I didn’t think she’d show that much speed and Jose rode an exceptionally good race,” said Toner. “He put her right in the race early. At that point my only thing was being that close, I thought she might not finish, but she finished with authority. She’s a quality filly, she really is.”