Weekend Hideaway wins John Morrissey Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Weekend Hideaway ran away and hid from his seven rivals in Friday’s $100,000 John Morrissey Stakes at Saratoga, leading throughout to post a two-length decision over 5-2 favorite Big Business in the 6 1/2-furlong dash for New York-breds.

Weekend Hideaway did not break sharply but quickly cruised up inside Moonlight Song, who broke alertly and was eased back shortly after the start, to control the pace under jockey Jose Lezcano. Weekend Hideaway set a swift pace, a 22.00-second opening quarter-mile and a 44.80 half, with Moonlight Song stalking the leder from the outset.

Weekend Hideaway shook off his early pursuer when roused nearing the eighth pole, opened a comfortable advantage at midstretch, and remained well clear under steady urging to the wire. Big Business raced between horses down the lane and outfinished West Hills Giant by a head to be second. Saratoga Snacks finished another nose further back in fourth.

The win was the second in a row for Weekend Hideaway, who captured a statebred allowance race at Belmont on July 11. Trained by Phil Serpe for the Red and Black Stable, Weekend Hideway completed the distance in 1:15.83 and paid $15.40.

“Our horse was training great, and I thought he was getting the Rodney Dangerfield treatment a little bit because Weekend Hideaway is usually in the mix,” said Serpe. “I’m really happy for Mike Hoffman and his crew from Red and Black Stable. They’re really great people.”

Serpe said he wasn’t surprised to see Weekend Hideaway on the lead.

“I was actually a little concerned when they first broke because I didn’t see our horse anywhere, but Jose was just sitting on him,” he said. “I didn’t see him moving his arms at all. I was a little concerned when Durkin called the 44-and-change half, but I figured the track was a little tight from all the rain we had.”