Mystic Guide Breaks Through in Jim Dandy
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Mystic Guide wins the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
Mystic Guide rallied from last under Jose Ortiz and broke through to win his first stakes Sept. 5 in the $150,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course.
Third last out in his stakes debut, the July 16 Peter Pan Stakes (G3), Mystic Guide had blinkers added by trainer Michael Stidham.
"It did exactly what I was hoping," Stidham said. "I know he was last down the backside, but he was definitely there when Jose called on him today whereas the last time he was too late and had no chance. Today he was there when Jose called on him.
"Once he got through turning for home, I felt really good about him because he has a big kick. He put himself in a better spot today and gave himself a chance. It really is a pleasure to win a race like this at Saratoga."
The Godolphin homebred was last of six early in the 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds. He was two lengths behind Liveyourbeastlife, who was fifth, as the first quarter-mile went in :23.37 and was only a half-length behind as a half-mile went in :47.61.
Setting those fractions up front were Celtic Striker and First Line, who dueled for the lead. Those two tired after six furlongs in 1:11.42, at which point Mystic Guide moved up to fourth and left Liveyourbeastlife in last.
Mystic Guide rolled past Dr Post and Jesus' Team, the respective third- and fourth-place finishers in the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) July 18, and ran a mile in 1:37.22. He then found a threat from Liveyourbeastlife running late on the outside. The Ghostzapper colt held off Liveyourbeastlife by three-quarters of a length in the end.
The final time on the fast track was 1:49. Mystic Guide paid $6.60 as the second choice.
Ortiz also appreciated the addition of blinkers.
"I was expecting to be a little bit closer, but he was flat-footed out of the gate and when we were last, I was just trying to keep in contact with the field," the jockey said. "I was planning on being a little closer with the blinkers on. I think it helped him to go between horses and coming home he wasn't so spotty like last time."
Jesus' Team finished third ahead of Dr Post, who went to the Jim Dandy over the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Celtic Striker and First Line completed the order of finish.
Stidham did not rule out the Oct. 3 Preakness Stakes (G1) for Mystic Guide.
"It certainly is a race that we'll look at. If our horse comes out of the race really well and we like the way he trains in the next couple of weeks, the Preakness would certainly be on the table no matter what happens today (in the Kentucky Derby)," the trainer said.
Mystic Guide has a 2-1-2 record from five starts and has earned $143,200.
The chestnut is out of Godolphin's A.P. Indy mare Music Note, a five-time grade 1 winner. Music Note also has an unraced 2-year-old colt by Distorted Humor named Gershwin and a yearling Maclean's Music filly.
Video: Jim Dandy S. (G2)
Frank's Rockette Rolls in Prioress
Frank's Rockette took over about halfway through the $200,000 Prioress Stakes (G2) Saturday and continued on to a 2 1/2-length score under Junior Alvarado to secure her third consecutive victory.
The Into Mischief daughter trained by Bill Mott annexed the Prioress, six furlongs for 3-year-old fillies, with the July 4 Victory Ride Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park and a May 25 allowance optional claiming race at Churchill Downs.
Frank's Rockette wins the Prioress Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
She was second, a length off the lead, through the first quarter-mile, led by Hello Beautiful in :22.23, and Victory Ride runner-up Reagan's Edge was another length back in third. Frank's Rockette stuck her head in front to lead a half-mile in :44.77, then continued to open up down the stretch. She hit the wire in 1:08.89, paying $5.10 as the favorite.
"She's very quick out of the gate, and she made my job easy today," Alvarado said. "She got out of there and was easy to handle. I held her as long as I could, just waiting to turn for home, and when I asked her, she responded very nicely. At the end, she was traveling away from them.
"By the five-sixteenths, I knew what I had and I think she was waiting for it, too. Turning for home, I asked her to give me a nice kick and she did."
Bill Mott trains Frank's Rockette for Frank Fletcher Racing Operations, which also bred the filly.
"I thought we might be on the lead. I didn't see that kind of speed coming from (Hello Beautiful)," Mott said. "There were several horses in there that could have shown speed. It was possible Secondary Market could have shown speed. In these sprints, a lot depends on who gets the good break. Our filly broke well, but Hello Beautiful broke exceptionally well and showed good speed as well. Junior rode her perfectly."
Reagan's Edge finished second to Frank's Rockette again in the Prioress. Center Aisle, Secondary Market, Sound Machine, Hello Beautiful, Up in Smoke, and Purrfectly Claire completed the order of finish.
Frank's Rockette has a 5-4-0 record in nine starts with earnings of $523,603. She is the third foal out of the grade 3-winning Indian Charlie mare Rocket Twentyone, whose first two foals are stakes-placed.