Sippican Harbor Upsets Spinaway

Lee Pokoik's Sippican Harbor faced an acid test Sept. 1 at Saratoga Race Course.

The competition the 2-year-old Orb  filly trounced by 17 lengths at the Spa Aug. 12 in a seven-furlong maiden special weight was suspect. The rivals she faced in the $350,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) most decidedly were not.

Trainer Gary Contessa actually thought she might be better on turf but took a shot on dirt at the highest possible level—and his gamble was rewarded.

Sent off at odds of 16-1 in her third start and first graded try—just 20 days after breaking her maiden—Sippican Harbor came charging from the rear to win the seven-furlong Spinaway by two lengths. In the process, she became the first grade 1 winner for her sire, the 2013 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner.

Part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, the Spinaway guarantees the winner an automatic berth to the Nov. 2 14 Hands Winery Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Churchill Downs, and that's exactly where Contessa would like to go.

"She beat up nobody in her last race, and this time she had to beat up a lot of somebodies, and she delivered," the trainer said. "She's a good filly. She's as good as we thought she was. You guys have seen her work in the morning and she's quite impressive, so hopefully we'll make it to the Breeders' Cup."

Pinched at the break and then 10th of 11 as Guacamole took the field through a :22.68 opening quarter, Sippican Harbor dropped to last while the advantage went to Nonna Madeline through a :45.97 half. Jockey Joel Rosario put the filly under a brisk hand ride as three quarters went in 1:11.06 and swung her into the eight path around the turn for home with Nonna Madeline in the crosshairs. From there to the wire, Sippican Harbor found her best stride.

"They got a little bit away from us in the beginning, but that was OK," Rosario said. "She has the one speed, but she keeps getting better and better, improving, going forward. She handled everything well and enjoyed her run. She put in a nice run in the end, and I kept her on the outside to keep her clear and not get any more mud in her face."



Sippican Harbor completed the test for 2-year-old fillies in 1:23.72. 

Restless Rider rallied five wide to claim second, and Cassies Dreamer closed to finish third. There was a stewards' inquiry into the actions of fourth-place finisher Bella Ciao in the stretch after that one bumped with Nonna Madeline, but the result was allowed to stand.

Favored Chasing Yesterday, a half sister to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah , finished seventh under Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.

"We took a whole a lot of dirt, and as you can see, she just isn't used to it," Smith said. "You hate to come all the way here to school, but it certainly was a really good schooling race. But she jumped, and jumped, and jumped so much until she wore herself out. I think this race will actually do her a whole lot of good, and we'll see the real her the next time."

Sippican Harbor was bred in Kentucky by Justin Spaeth, Kalvert Spaeth, and Equine Equity Partners out of the Deputy Minister mare Blossomed. She was a $260,000 purchase by Contessa from Dromoland Farm's consignment to Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale in 2017. She failed to meet her reserve at $110,000 when de Meric Sales consigned her to the Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training this year.

"I really thought she was a turf horse—shows you what I know. A blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while," said Contessa, who sent Sippican Harbor to finish fifth in her debut July 22 in a 1 1/16-mile event on the Saratoga lawn.

"Today's effort was unbelievable because this field was loaded with good horses today," the trainer added. "She ate dirt. I mean, she's covered with dirt. She made that big move on the outside, a very impressive race. That's the kind of 2-year-old you want. One that is versatile, you can send her; she can be on the lead or you can take her back and come from last. She's got a great mind. You see what her mind is like in the stall. She is just the coolest horse in the world. She makes my job easy.

"Today she stamped herself. She's legit, so we're looking forward to the Breeders' Cup. These are real horses. These are the best of the best."

Video: Spinaway S. (G1)