Debuting Maryanorginger Gets First Win in Astoria
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Maryanorginger closes to earn her debut score in the Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park
Trainer Jeremiah Englehart was likely holding his breath at the start of the $150,000 Astoria Stakes June 6, but by the end of the race, his charge Maryanorginger broke her maiden first time out in the stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park.
Bet down to odds of 3-1, the Strong Mandate filly owned by Gold Square stumbled from post 1 and nearly went to her knees at the break. After a quick recovery, she was caught in traffic on the rail and shuffled back to last as the field of seven sprinted down the backstretch in the 5 1/2-furlong test.
"The first time out it's really not the way you want to start against winners, but she's really been professional," Englehart said. "Other than a little rear up in the paddock, she's been really good and really smart."
Frontrunning Twirling Owen sped through a quarter-mile in :22.13 followed by Ms Headley, the heavily favored Perfect Alibi, and Reiterate, who were bunched together as Twirling Owen opened up on the field. Coming around the turn, however, they closed the distance, and just after a half-mile went in :45.53 Reiterate grabbed the lead along the rail with Perfect Alibi in pursuit.
Maryanorginger and jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. improved their position through the final turn, and while Reiterate was sent to the lead but was then unable to sustain the drive, the pair were ready to pounce from the outside. As Perfect Alibi drew alongside Reiterate, Maryanorginger had momentum and was able to pass the favorite to score by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:03.94.
"I stayed calm (after she stumbled) because she was taking the dirt so good," Vargas said. "When she got clear, she was long gone. I think she's going to appreciate more distance. I hadn't been on her before, but Mr. Englehart told me she was a nice filly. I was pretty confident in her."
The winner returned $8.60, $4.50, and $3.50, and runner-up Perfect Alibi paid $3.10 and $2.30. Talk You Out of It got up for third to return a $4.40 show wager.
"I thought Jorge did a good job. He let her settle and didn't get nervous," Englehart said.
"I was actually targeting a turf race, but everyone at the barn was telling me do dirt. And (owner) Al (Gold) likes to run his horses the first time on dirt," he added. (After her last workout, I said,) 'Why don't we take a shot at the Astoria? It'll be a tough field, but she's nice.' We took a shot and it paid off."
Gold Square purchased Maryanorginger from the Gainesway consignment to The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected yearling sale in Kentucky, for $190,000. Bred in Kentucky by C. Kidder, N. Cole, and Linda Griggs, Maryanorginger is the third of three foals to race out of the Vindication mare Timetobegone. The mare's first foal is group 1-placed in Puerto Rico and her second foal is also a winner.