Oscar Performance Draws Off to Win Pilgrim

Amerman Racing’s homebred Oscar Performance lived up to his name by putting on an impressive show in Belmont Park’s Pilgrim Stakes (gr. IIIT), leading from start to finish for a six-length triumph in the 1 1/16-mile turf test for 2-year-olds. 

With the start delayed after Bird's Eye View acted up in the gate and was eventually scratched, 8-5 favorite Oscar Performance took over not long after the field left the gate under jockey Jose Ortiz. They led through moderate fractions of :23.55 and :48.98 for the half mile over the Widener turf course labeled yielding while tracked by My Bo Chop and Sir Douglas. Rounding the turn after six furlongs were completed in 1:12.63, Oscar Performance continued unchallenged on the lead as Frostmourne, shuffled back early, made a bold and moved into the second position.

With a furlong remaining, Oscar Performance kicked clear and continued to extend, drawing off in an impressive performance in final time of 1:42.88. J. S. Choice, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. for trainer Todd Pletcher, and Kitten's Cat each showed a good turn of foot late for the runner-up and third positions, respectively. The winner paid $5.40 to win.

A son of Kitten's Joy   trained by Brian Lynch, Oscar Performance has won two of three starts. Sixth in his career debut at 1 1/16 miles on grass at Saratoga Race Course, the colt returned a month later to romp by 10 1/4 lengths over the same distance and course.

The victory was the second in a graded turf stake on the card for Ortiz, who took the Joe Hirsch Classic (gr. IT) in similar front-running style with Ectot.