The Forego - September 3, 2011

Race Conditions:          Grade 1, 3+, 7F, Dirt, Saratoga

Race Class Par:                            112 
Race Class Rating:                       107

Winner's Time/Quality Rating:     107

Pace:  Very Fast Early; Slow Average Middle;  Slow Late

Track Condition and Bias:  Honest and Fast

Race Comments:  The 2011 Forego Stakes was a fairly deep and even matched field, but it lacked true Grade 1 quality sprinters. It was more like a Grade 2 quality field. The very fast early pace set it up for the closers. 

Notable Performances:

1.  Jackson Bend - Settled near the back of the pack well off the very fast pace, stayed on the rail on the backstretch, moved 2w mid turn to begin his rally, rallied between horses and drew off.  Jackson Bend has found a home as a sprinter, but he's also had two excellent trips in a row. He's very sharp, but he'll probably be a good bet against at some point because he's not quite as good as he looks.

2. Jersey Town - Rated inside behind the dueling leaders, 2w turn, came out 4w for the stretch drive, but was out finished.  Jersey town had a tricky trip to evaluate. While he was in a great position relative to the duelers, he was also relatively close to the very fast early pace.

3. Aiekenite - Trailed the field while well out on the track on the backstretch, move 4w on the turn, swung out late turn, finished OK on the far outside.

4. Hamazing Destiny - Dueled outside Sidney's Candy in very fractions, hung tough until the last furlong in a good effort. Hamazing Destiny has rated and finished well going short on other occasions. Had he rated here, IMO he would have been right there at the finish.  He should be able to beat a very good field with an easier lead or by rating off a very fast pace.

5. Golddigger's Boy - Raced near the rear of the pack, 3w turn, made up some ground.

6. Escrow Kid - Close up chasing the early leaders while wide, hard used 3w to challenge on the turn, tired through the stretch.  Escrow Kid had a tough trip being close to the fast pace and wide. He ran fairly well, but he'll probably need a little softer to get into the winners circle.

7. Regal Ransom - Chased the pace on the outside, 3w turn, swung out 5w into the stretch, no response, tired late.

8. Sidney's Candy - Moved up on the inside to contest the early pace, battled along the rail in very fast fractions, but tired in the stretch.  Sidney's Candy is a versatile horse, but he does his best running when able to control the pace in middle distance races against a little weaker.