By Your Side scores impressive win in Sanford Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – By Your Side had to fight hard to win his career debut last month at Churchill Downs. He found things a lot easier the second time around, capturing his stakes debut by drawing off to a convincing three-length victory over Tomato Bill in Saturday’s $150,000 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga.

With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for the first time, By Your Side broke alertly from his outside post, then eased back off the pace of Tomato Bill. By Your Side fanned a bit wide while launching his bid into the stretch, overtook the leader inside the eighth pole and pulled away with authority to win the Grade 3 juvenile fixture.

Tomato Bill set the pace, could not resist the winner when challenged, and lugged in under a right-handed stick, forcing Raging Whiskey to steady along the rail in late stretch, before maintaining a one-length advantage over that rival at the wire. Raging Whiskey saved ground and did not appear to be getting past Tomato Bill when taken up along the rail nearing the finish line.

Following an inquiry and an objection by jockey Javier Castellano aboard Raging Whiskey, the stewards ruled that the incident did not affect the order of finish.

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Eddie Kenneally trains By Your Side, a 2-year-old son of Constitution, for Anderson Stables LLC. He covered six furlongs in 1:01.22 and paid $4.80.

“He’s shown a lot of talent from the time Eddie Woods broke him as a baby in Ocala,” said Kenneally. “He came to me in April at Keeneland and never did a thing wrong. He’s shown he’s the real deal for a while. He’s a very professional horse, does everything right.”

Kenneally said By Your Side had a perfect trip in the Sanford.

“He relaxed nicely after breaking alertly,” said Kenneally. “Irad let the speed horses go, and our horse was content to relax in perfect position on the outside. He’s really good, and he might be even better going longer.”

Kenneally said he’ll take his time before deciding what’s next for By Your Side, with the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 10 and the Grade 1 Hopeful on closing day, Sept. 2, the most likely options.