Sombeyay just missed after a rough start in the Tremont S. last time, but he made this one count to provide Todd Pletcher with a record-tying seventh Sanford success. Hugging the fence early tucked in just behind the dueling Strike Silver and Bano Solo (Goldencents), the bay was switched out for clear sailing at the top of the stretch. Strike Silver dug in gamely after putting away Bano Solo, but Sombeyay kept coming and got there as the winning line loomed.
“It was perfect,” said winning rider Javier Castellano. “He broke good out of the gate and put me in the right position. Today, I didn't want to be too far back. It worked out the way we wanted today. When I asked, he took off. I loved the way he finished. He's a good come-from-behind horse. It was very satisfying. I give all the credit to Todd [Pletcher]. I never rode this horse before, and Todd [Pletcher] gave me the instructions.”
Part of Todd Pletcher's recent strategy of getting his promising runners started in softer spots, Sombeyay was a 6 1/5-length debut winner first up at Gulfstream Apr. 27 before nearly belying 7-1 odds in the June 8 Tremont.
“He's not a particularly impressive workhorse in the mornings,” Pletcher noted. “He's always run better than he breezes. I'm perfectly happy with that as long as he's happy and healthy and continues to perform in the afternoons. But, he's not one that would blow you away in the mornings. I think in these early 2-year-old races, experience is huge. Having two starts compared to others with only one, I think that helped today. I think it hurt him a little the last time when he stumbled, you could argue that it helped him today. I think the [GI] Hopeful [S. Sept. 3] would be the next logical step with three starts under his belt if he was tearing the barn down–we'll see.”
Pletcher tied long-time Greentree Stable trainer and Hall of Famer John M. Gaver, Sr. for the most Sanford wins with Saturday's score. His list of past winners include prominent stallions Scat Daddy and More Than Ready. Pletcher's 2015 Sanford winner (via DQ) Uncle Vinny (Uncle Mo) was also owned by Starlight.
Saturday, Saratoga
SANFORD S.-GIII, $150,000, Saratoga, 7-21, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.35, ft.
1–SOMBEYAY, 120, c, 2, by Into Mischief
1st Dam: Teroda (MSP, $171,033), by Limehouse
2nd Dam: Leza, by Strawberry Road (Aus)
3rd Dam: Goldenley (Arg), by Farley (Arg)
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($125,000 Wlg '16 KEENOV; $230,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP). O-Starlight Racing; B-J D Stuart & Mueller Farms Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Javier Castellano. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $136,500.
Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.[bullet ad=”bluegrass-hip129ftsaug2018″][bullet ad=”taylor-made-tm-for-you”][bullet ad=”kbif-g2g3″]2–Strike Silver, 120, c, 2, Violence–Frank's Hope, by Pulpit. ($275,000 Ylg '17 OBSOCT). O-John C. Oxley; B-Lantern Hill Farm LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $30,000.[bullet ad=”lanternhill-bredraised”][bullet ad=”kaizensales-richardkent-grad”]3–Whiskey Echo, 120, c, 2, Tiznow–Atala, by Stormy Atlantic. ($225,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Willis Horton Racing LLC; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $18,000.[bullet ad=”taylor-made-tm-for-you”]Margins: NK, 3 1/4, HF. Odds: 2.85, 3.45, 7.30.
Also Ran: Bano Solo, Knicks Go, Lexitonian, Chase Greatness. Scratched: Dream Maker.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Pedigree Notes:
Sombeyay is the 16th graded stakes winner for sire Into Mischief, who is also responsible for this year's Pletcher-trained GI Florida Derby winner Audible. His multiple stakes-placed dam Teroda (Limehouse) was purchased for $40,000 by John Stuart at the 2013 Keeneland January sale. She resurfaced in for a $62,500 tag in Stuart's colors at Keeneland that April, and was claimed from him that day, but made one more start that June also with Stuart listed as owner. Sombeyay is Teroda's second foal. She has a Street Boss yearling filly and a Kitten's Joy filly foaled Apr. 23. She was bred back to Constitution.
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