Sittin On Go Wins Iroquois, Headed to Breeders' Cup
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Sittin On Go pulls away to win the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs
Owner Dennis Albaugh of Albaugh Family Stables and trainer Dale Romans are not loaded for just one Breeders' Cup race, but two.
Two days after winning the Pocahontas Stakes (G3) with Girl Daddy, who earned a berth into the Juvenile Fillies (G1), they had another 2-year-old qualify for the Breeders' Cup. Sittin On Go took the Sept. 5 Iroquois Stakes Presented by Ford (G3) at Churchill Downs, a Breeders' Cup Challenge event for the TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1). Both races will be held Nov. 6 at Keeneland.
Sittin On Go's come-from-behind victory over Midnight Bourbon and Super Stock marked the first stakes winner for his sire, Brody's Cause , a dual grade 1 winner who stands at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky. Brody's Cause was campaigned by the same owner/trainer team.
"He's a lot like his daddy," Romans said as he walked toward the winner's circle. "I know Not This Time (another former Romans trainee) is a 'now' sire, but Brody's Cause isn't going to be far behind."
Sittin On Go's connections enjoy the trophy presentation
Sittin On Go showed a running style Saturday much like the one exhibited by Brody's Cause, a late-rallying winner of the 2015 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) and 2016 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1). Ninth for the first half-mile as favored Therideofalifetime set splits of :23.04 and :45.64 in the one-mile race, he began to pick off horses on the turn, advancing to sixth after six furlongs in 1:10.
It was in the final quarter-mile where the colt shined. He pulled into third by midstretch after Midnight Bourbon took command from a stalking position and went past that rival for a 2 1/2-length victory. He finished in 1:35 on a fast track under Corey Lanerie.
"We've got a serious racehorse," said Romans, now a four-time winner of the Iroquois.
The victory was Lanerie's second in the Iroquois, a $200,000 race. He paired with Romans to win it in 2013 with Cleburne.
The Iroquois provided Sittin On Go with 10 points on the 2021 Road to the Kentucky Derby. It was the leadoff race in the program.
Sittin On Go paid $50 despite having won his only other start, a five-furlong maiden race at Ellis Park Aug. 16.
Therideofalifetime weakened to fourth, 9 1/2 lengths behind the winner and 5 1/4 lengths behind third-place Super Stock.
Albaugh was ecstatic as he walked into the winner's circle.
"I have to keep my heart under control. I'm excited," he said.
Sittin On Go, bred in Kentucky by Wynnstay, is the first stakes winner for his dam, the stakes-placed More Than Ready mare Set'n On Ready. He was a $65,000 weanling purchase by Albaugh Family Stables at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale when consigned by his breeder. Kempton Bloodstock acted as agent for Albaugh.
Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency at the 2019 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the colt fell short of his reserve when bidding stalled at $62,000.