Tourist impresses in Sir Cat Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The 3-year-old turf division gained another major player during Friday’s opening-day program at Saratoga after Tourist withstood a strong try from Ring Weekend to register a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Sir Cat Stakes. Storming Inti, who went postward as the 8-5 co-choice along with Tourist, finished nearly four lengths farther back in third.

Tourist, a son of Tiznow owned in partnership by his breeder, WinStar Farm, and Gary Barber, passed his first major test by stepping in against stakes company for the first time to post his third victory in as many starts on grass. Joel Rosario rode Tourist to victory for trainer Bill Mott.

Tourist broke alertly but was quickly joined from along the inside by Storming Inti. The pair raced as a team before jockey Javier Castellano eased Storming Inti back off the lead after the opening quarter-mile of the one-mile Sir Cat. Tourist was then able to control a modest pace, posting splits of 23.95 seconds, 47.24, and 1:10.24 for the opening six furlongs over the firm course, disposed of Storming Inti entering the stretch, then held off a late try from Ring Weekend. The latter was hung a bit wide throughout and finished willingly to easily be second-best.

Tourist completed the distance in 1:33.54, his final time just 0.12 seconds off the course mark set by L’Olseau d’Argent almost 10 years ago. He paid $5.40.

“I was wondering what might happen when they went into the first turn together,” said Mott. “But then the other horse took off, it left us in good position, and our horse just finds another gear when he turns for home. I didn’t know he was so close to a track record, but I saw it was 33 and change, which is pretty quick for a two-turn race around here.”

Mott said he was not surprised Tourist made such a big jump forward once switched to turf.

“When we first put him on the turf, he just took off, literally,” said Mott. “He ran just good enough that we probably tried him one or two extra times on the dirt, maybe to his benefit, but it’s all really come together now.”

Trainer Graham Motion also was pleased with Ring Weekend’s effort, even in defeat. Ring Weekend had been eased in his previous start on dirt in the Grade 3 Pegasus at Monmouth Park.

“I’m really happy to get this horse back on track, and I think he really would prefer going a little longer too,” said Motion.