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SARATOGA BOOT NEVER LOOKS BACK ROMPS IN $75,000 EMERALD DERBY
AUBURN, Wash. (Aug. 15, 2010) – Saratoga Boot, a 9-to-1 long shot, was never
headed Sunday and scored a 4 ¼ -length victory in the $75,000 Emerald Derby for
3-year-olds at Emerald Downs.
With Kevin Krigger riding at 122lbs, Saratoga Boot ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48 2/5
on a fast track and paid $21.40, $10.40 and $5.80. Tim McCanna trains the
Arkansas-bred for owner Gary Hughes of Clarkston, Wash.
Saratoga Boot sped to the lead from the outside post, set fractions of :22 3/5,
:46 3/5, 1:11 4/5 and 1:35 4/5 en route to the victory. The final time was one
tick faster than Winning Machine ran last year.
Canadian shipper Ain, a maiden making only his third career start, emerged from
the pack to finish second and paid $15.80 and $7.20. Gallyn Mitchell rode the
runner-up at 122 lbs.
Posse Power, the 6-to-5 betting favorite ridden by Francisco Duran at 122 lbs,
was a half-length back in third place and paid $2.60. The Kentucky-bred enjoyed
a consistent season, finishing first, second or third in all four stakes
appearances, but Sunday's defeat was his third straight as the betting favorite.
California shipper Slew the Man finished fourth, followed by Clear to Canada,
Seattle Slew Handicap winner Newfound Man, Mr. Mad Max, Majestic Peak and Koala
Beach.
According to Krigger, he and McCanna hashed out several scenarios in the
paddock. Alas, the game plan was simple—sprint to the lead, slow the pace down,
and power home late. And that's exactly how things developed.
“He broke sharply out of the gate,” Krigger said. “He knew where he wanted to be
and he put himself on the front end. I didn't think that we were going a :22 and
change first quarter, but when you are on the good horses, it always feels
easy."
In front by 1-½ lengths on the last turn, Saratoga Boot spurted five lengths
clear into the stretch and the game was all but over.
“When he switched to his left lead, he changed into another horse,” Krigger
added. I asked him, but he practically was doing it on his own. He was a pro
today.”
The $41,250 winner's share more than doubled Saratoga Boot's earnings to
$74,200. The Storm Boot gelding has a 2-2-2 record in eight starts overall,
including a second in the May 23 Auburn Handicap and a third in the July 25
Seattle Slew Handicap.