Tourist notches first Grade 1 victory in Fourstardave
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Tourist became a much-deserving Grade 1 winner for the first time when rallying from off a relatively slow pace to a 1 1/4-length victory over A Lot in Saturday’s $500,000 Fourstardave at Saratoga.
Tourist had to survive a brief bobble on the second turn and a claim of foul by Javier Castellano, the rider of A Lot, before his Grade 1 win was officially in the books.
Tourist ducked in at the break before straightening away and taking up a striking position just off the early pace set by King Kreesa, who posted leisurely splits of 24.53 and 48.43 over the firm course. Tourist was sent up to challenge the leader by jockey Joel Rosario on the far turn, stumbled briefly nearing the quarter pole, quickly recovered to edge clear near the furlong grounds then had plenty left to withstand a final surge from the runner-up.
A Lot, bumped by Tourist almost immediately after the break, was reserved at the rear of the scratch-reduced field for six furlongs, commenced his bid midway on the second bend, finished willingly down the center of the course, but could not reach the winner. Grand Arch, winner of the 2015 Fourstardave, raced within striking distance from the outset but lacked the sufficient rally at the end.
Ring Weekend, the tepid 5-2 favorite, steadied after getting pinched following the incident at the break, saved ground thereafter and could never seriously menace.
Tourist, a 5-year-old son of Tiznow, had been Grade 1-placed on four previous occasions, including in his previous start when second, beaten less than a length, in the Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita 11 weeks earlier. Trained by Bill Mott for the partnership of WinStar Farm, Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable, Tourist returned $7.40 after completing a mile in 1:34.29.
“Very important for a horse like him to get a Grade 1 win,” Mott said. “He’s been a good horse, multiple Grade 1-placed, and to win the Fourstardave at Saratoga is an important race.”
Mott said he was happy with the way the trip worked out, but did admit to having some anxious moments when Tourist bobbled momentarily on the second turn.
“On paper, that looked like the type of trip he’d probably get,” Mott said. “He was laying second, came on and drew away from the field. But it was a bit of an anxious moment on the middle of the turn when he took a bad step. I kind of swallowed for a second there, but he was able to pick himself back up and go on with it.”
Mott said the Breeders’ Cup Mile would be his ultimate goal for Tourist later this year.