Troy Stakes at Saratoga next step for The Critical Way

At this point, it’s hard to knock the hard-knocking 7-year-old turf sprinter The Critical Way. He’s run five races during 2021, all strong performances, and made short work of six rivals Saturday at Monmouth Park in the $75,000 Get Serious Stakes. The Critical Way, who often has led, pressed the early pace under Paco Lopez before taking over and winning by three lengths, earning a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He came back really good, jumping around, happy,” trainer Jose Delgado said. “Paco sent him a little but didn’t go with the other horse early. When he called on him and asked him, he just exploded. The competition is getting tougher and tougher now, so it’s good for him to try to settle down and make one move.”

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The Critical Way’s connections have their eye on the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, which, at five furlongs this year, sits right in the gelding’s wheelhouse. In the nearer term, The Critical Way is likely to make his next start Aug. 6 at Saratoga in the $200,000 Troy Stakes.