Jay Em Ess Stable’s homebred SUAVE (A.P. Indy) took the lead after the
opening quarter-mile and proved very game in taking the $245,000
Saratoga
Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) on Sunday. Breaking alertly beneath John Velazquez, the
four-year-old colt rated off the opening two furlongs in :24, prior to
carving out splits of :48 1/5 and 1:12 for the initial six furlongs while
under mild pressure. Before the turn for home, Velazquez shook up his mount and
he responded, reaching the mile in 1:36 4/5 before eventually completing
the 10-furlong feature in 2:03 1/5 over the fast track.
The winning margin over
the oncoming Royal Assault (Kris S.) was 2 3/4 lengths. Sent off as the 3-1
second choice, Suave gave back $8, $6.30 and $8.40 while topping the $71 exacta
and $233 trifecta in the five-horse field.
“He’s had a quarter crack in his back foot that has been bugging him all
year,” trainer Paul McGee said. “It was hurry up and wait a couple of different
times this year. I tried to make the Fair Grounds with him; I tried to make
Keeneland with him; and I tried to make Churchill Downs with him, but that
quarter crack kept bothering him. As you can see, it is all fixed now.”
Royal Assault saved ground on the inside early, moved three-wide turning for
home, and fell short in a nice runner-up effort. The chestnut paid $11.40
and $9.60 at 14-1. Tap Day (Pleasant Tap) rode the rail throughout and was in
good striking position late, but could do no better than third, worth $7.70 at
6-1. Evening Attire (Black Tie Affair [Ire]) was another 1 1/4 lengths back and
trailed by 3-5 choice Offlee Wild (Wild Again), who never really fired. Billy
Allen (Ire) (Night Shift) was withdrawn.
Suave has moved his mark to 18-5-4-2 with a bankroll of $659,483. The late
developer previously annexed the Northern Dancer S. (G3), with placings in the
Illinois Derby (G2), Indiana Derby (G3) and Swaps Breeders’ Cup S. (G2), with a
close fourth-place finish in the Clark H. (G2) in his final start last year.
The winner was bred in the Bluegrass State and produced from multiple Grade 1
winner Urbane (Citidancer), who banked more than $1 million during her racing
career. Suave is the first graded winner out of the mare, who was also produced
an unraced two-year-old filly named World Wise (Coronado’s Quest) and an
unnamed 2005 Vindication colt.