Saturday, May 19, 2012
SAGINAW STAYS HOT WITH AFFIRMED SUCCESS VICTORY
By Jon Forbes
ELMONT, N.Y. – Former claimer Saginaw extended his winning streak to five with a sharp score against New York-breds in the inaugural $100,000 Affirmed Success on Saturday at Belmont Park.
Haltered for $30,000 in March by his current connections, Saginaw settled outside the flank of pacesetter Uncle T Seven through fractions of 22.92 and 45.00, claimed a narrow lead midway on the turn, and inexorably extended his advantage to find the wire 7 ½ lengths to the good of his rival.
“Usually, he gets pretty tough and grabs the bit and I’m just trying to slow him down as much as I can,” said winning jockey David Cohen. “Today, he really relaxed very well for me. We sat off the front runner [Uncle T Seven] very easily and when I called on him, he picked it up just like he always does and finished very strong. Even though he is an older horse he seems to be growing up mentally. I’ve been taking a lot of time with him. Having a quicker split may have helped [him relax]; they weren’t going 24. Today we had 22 and four and I think that probably helped out more than anything.”
Off as the 3-5 favorite, Saginaw paid $3.50 for a $2 win wager and completed seven furlongs in 1:21.59.
Saginaw won by 13 ¼ lengths at Aqueduct Racetrack the day he was claimed by David Jacobson, who owns the 6-year-old in partnership with Drawing Away Stable. He hasn’t raced for a tag since that effort, winning an Aqueduct starter handicap on April 4, an Aqueduct optional claimer on April 15, and Belmont Park’s Carr Heaven overnight stakes on April 29.
Jacobson deflected credit for the savvy claim, saying it was his brother and assistant, Doug, who recommended claiming Saginaw after spotting him in the paddock at Aqueduct.
“He was a big, good looking horse,” said Doug Jacobson. “Sound. A hard-hitting horse. And now he’s in the right group.”
Saginaw is the second stakes winner the Jacobsons and Drawing Away Stable acquired via the claim box as the team won the Grade 1 New York Turf Writers Cup steeplechase with Mabou, whom they had acquired for $30,000.
“[Saginaw] is up there with Mabou, who is very special,” said David Jacobson. “I love cutbacks, and this will make [Saginaw] better the next time he goes long. Whatever [New York-bred] race is next, you’re going to see him, if he comes out this race well. He just did it so easily.”
Overall, Saginaw is 11-5-2 from 27 starts. With the $60,000 winner’s share of the Affirmed Success purse, he has earned $449,990 to date, including $188,400 since the claim.
Mine Over Matter was third, followed home by Wee Freudian, Spa City Fever, and Law Enforcement.
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