Dogtag Breaks Maiden in P.G. Johnson Stakes
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher
Dogtag comes home strong to take the P.G. Johnson Stakes
LNJ Foxwoods' homebred Dogtag bested a field of six for a maiden-breaking victory in the $100,000 P.G. Johnson Stakes for juvenile fillies on the inner turf at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 30
After a break from the rail as the odds-on favorite with jockey Javier Castellano aboard, the War Front filly stalked comfortably from third position as Road Tiger set fractions of :24.20 for the opening quarter-mile, with the half in :49.92.
At the quarter pole, O'Malley made a move to the front and briefly took the lead at the top of the stretch. Challenged by Chocolate Kisses to her outside, Dogtag was sent into a drive along the rail and extended away to the wire to secure the victory by a length.
The Chad Brown trainee completed the 1 1/16 miles in a final time of 1:45.82 on turf listed as yielding.
"She hanged a little bit, but it was soft ground," Castellano said. "I just drove her a little to get my spot and not be stuck at the back. I knew sooner or later those horses would back up a little bit. I tried to figure out my move. I didn't want to go wide in the turn, but at the same time, I didn't want to be stopped inside the rail. Those things went through my mind, but when I asked her, she split horses and (found) a tiny hole inside the rail. Not many horses do that, and she did. I was very impressed."
Dogtag proved successful in her turf debut after she finished fourth in her debut Aug. 5 at Saratoga in a race taken off the turf. Dogtag was moved up to third in that race when Seek and Destroy was disqualified to fourth.
Varenka finished second and was followed by Chocolate Kisses, O'Malley, Road Tiger, and Chasing the Kitty.