Norfolk Runner-Up Golden Pal Blazes to Skidmore Victory

Wesley Ward brought three trainees into the Aug. 21 Skidmore Stakes for 2-year-olds, and Golden Pal proved much the best as he blazed through the 5 1/2-furlong test in near course-record time at Saratoga Race Course.

A field of six made up of colts and geldings and one filly lined up for the $85,000 Skidmore, but Golden Pal left them behind at the gate, pulling at least 2 1/2 lengths clear in the first 100 yards.

Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for owner Ranlo Investments, the colt proceeded to race through fractions of :21.99, :44.37, and :55.12, reminiscent of last year's Skidmore won by Another Miracle, who had slightly faster early fractions but finished in 1:01.61. Golden Pal wrapped up the race in 1:00.88 on firm turf, just slightly short of the track record set last year by Carotari in 1:00.21.

"I broke quietly, but he put me right there. He broke so fast out of there," Ortiz said. "I talked to Wesley (before the race) and thought we'd let (Fauci) go, and ride and be patient from the outside post. But he broke and put me on the lead, so I just took it. He was great."

Bred in Florida by Randall Lowe, Golden Pal, by Uncle Mo , is the only registered foal out of Lady Shipman, the 2015 TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) runner-up.

"He's something special, this guy. I think we just got a little peek at it," Ward said. "From everything we've seen here, they're coming into his homecourt like Michael Jordan in the United Center in the Breeders' Cup this year. He's a very, very nice colt. I'm very thankful for the owner. He's afforded me the time that myself and my team has needed, and this horse had some issues and my team has really worked hard on this guy. He's so fast and he's so gifted. To get him to this point is special."

Fauci, the second-choice Ward trainee who has also been highly touted, finished 3 1/2 lengths back in second where he ran throughout, followed by third choice Sky's Not Falling in third. With no show wagering, the winner returned $2.90 and $2.10.

The only filly in the field and Ward's third trainee, Sunny Isle Beach, finished fourth, followed by Kentucky Knight and Baytown Bear, who was bumped hard at the start of the race by the filly.

"He's a really cool horse. It's special when you get on horses like that. I'm so happy to be able to get on him. Hopefully he stays sound and healthy and he can keep doing what he did today," Ortiz said of the winner.

Golden Pal made his debut April 17 in a maiden test at Gulfstream Park, where he finished second. Ward then opted to send the colt overseas to try his luck at Royal Ascot in the prestigious Norfolk Stakes (G2), where he was run down late by The Lir Jet to again finish second.

Ward confirmed the Nov. 6 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint  (G2T) at Keeneland will be next on Golden Pal's schedule.

"That would be my plan," he said about training up to the Breeders' Cup. "The owner is a great guy and has gone along with everything I've wanted to do so far, so I don't see any issues there."