| Sunday, August 10, 2014
Cavorting launches strong rally to score in talent-laden Adirondack
By Sean Morris
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Three sensational debut winners at Belmont Park finished 1-2-3 in a loaded edition of the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course, with the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Cavorting proving best by 1 ¾ lengths.
Cavorting broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion by 11 lengths in a four-horse field on July 3 at Belmont as the even-money favorite. Sent off as the 7-2 third choice in the Adirondack, expectations were tempered by the precipitous rise in class, but not for McLaughlin.
"We had a lot of confidence because she's trained very well," said McLaughlin, who trains Cavorting for Stonestreet Stables. "She's a special filly. She ran seven weeks after she came to us and won by 11 [lengths]. Usually our horses improve [in their] second start."
Ridden again by Irad Ortiz, Jr., Cavorting found herself in an unfamiliar position. Texas shipper Vivian Da Bling sprang from the gate and quickly assumed control, forcing the McLaughlin trainee to track the pace from the outside. After carving out reasonable fractions of 22.60 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.72 for the half, Vivian Da Bling was confronted by the trio of downstate debut winners.
Race favorite Angela Renee, who broke her maiden convincingly on June 27 at Belmont, made the first move after the leader, with Wonder Gal - 14 ½-length winner of the Lynbrook Stakes at Belmont - and Cavorting in close pursuit.
Down the lane, Cavorting and Angela Renee spurted away from Wonder Gal, who was put in tight quarters along the rail, with Cavorting edging away in deep stretch to complete the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:16.49.
"I didn't want to go too wide," said Ortiz. "I got in a little bit and asked her a little bit and I had horse. When I asked her, she just took off. I got clear turning for home. I think she was ready. The trainer brought her ready. She's a nice filly. She won first time out by 11 lengths, easy. We saw better fillies today, and she can do it. She has some talent and [trainer Kiaran McLaughlin] does a great job with them."
A daughter of Bernardini out of a Grade 2 dirt route stakes winner, Cavorting should appreciate more ground, according to McLaughlin, which bodes well for her ultimate objective, the Grade 1, 1 1/16-mile Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
"It would seem that she would go farther," said McLaughlin. "The [Grade 1, $350,000] Spinaway [on August 31] is back a little quick; we'll see how she comes out of this race. There's the [Grade 1] Frizette at a mile [on October 4 at Belmont Park] and the Breeders' Cup is obviously what we hope for."
Cavorting returned $9.50 on a $2 win wager and enhanced her bankroll to $265,000, including the $100,000 bonus for winning a graded stakes at Saratoga after breaking her maiden at Belmont or Aqueduct.
Runner-up Angela Renee ran a gallant second for trainer Todd Pletcher and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. After being the first to confront the pace-setter, the full sister to 2012 Woodward winner To Honor and Serve battled gamely down the stretch despite losing her focus, according to Velazquez.
"I didn't want to be stuck in there and get all the dirt," said the jockey. "I got a nice spot on the outside and she was going pretty good. When the other horses got to her, she just shied away from them. Instead of looking forward, she was watching the other horses. Maybe blinkers next time." Wonder Gal settled for third, 2 ¾ lengths clear of Vivian Da Bling. Take Charge Brandi, Phoenix Park, and Empressive Humor completed the order of finish. -30-
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