Tom's d'Etat keeps perfect Spa record intact in Alydar

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Al Stall wanted to give his handicap star Tom’s d’Etat a confidence booster before thinking about tackling the big boys later this summer in the Grade 1 Woodward. And his plan worked to perfection after Tom’s d’Etat registered a popular and relatively easy one-length victory over Wooderson in Friday’s $100,000 Alydar at Saratoga.

Despite coming off a pair of Grade 2 placings earlier this spring at Churchill Downs, Stall opted to pass the temptation to run Tom’s d’Etat on Saturday in the Whitney for the easier spot 24 hours earlier in the Alydar.

“That was a good confidence booster for him and for me,” Stall said with a laugh after the race. “And I have absolutely no regrets about not running him tomorrow in the Whitney. A win at Saratoga is always great and we’re thrilled to death.”

Joel Rosario, reunited with Tom’s d’Etat for the first time since guiding him to a nine-length allowance win here two years ago, orchestrated a perfect trip for the even-money favorite. Rated off a rapid pace set by Tour de Force, who raced with blinkers on in the Alydar, Tom’s d’Etat rallied three wide to readily overtake Backyard Heaven approaching the stretch, quickly opened a comfortable advantage, and was geared down by Rosario approaching the wire.

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Wooderson advanced to within striking distance at the top of the stretch and did cut into Tom’s d’Etat’s final margin while never seriously threatening the winner at the end. It was another 6 3/4 lengths back to third-place finisher Golden Brown. Backyard Heaven finished a tiring fourth, followed by Carlino, You’re to Blame, American Tattoo, Tour de Force, and Candygram.

Tom’s d’Etat, a 6-year-old son of Smart Strike, remained perfect in three starts at Saratoga. Owned by G M B Racing, Tom’s d’Etat covered 1 1/8 miles over the fast track in a strong 1:47.45 and paid $4.

“Everything fell right into place,” said Stall. “Joel got him off the fence a little bit, got in behind the fast pace and he just galloped right past those horses. Joel saved a lot of horse at the end and they still went in 47 and two. This gives me a little confidence thinking about the Woodward moving forward. We’ll keep a close eye on him because he’s been that kind of horse. But he’s in good form and while I don’t like to bite off more than I can chew, he earned a shot at something like that.”

The Grade 1 Woodward will be decided at 1 1/8 miles here on Aug. 31.