Sunday, August 31, 2008

FIRST DEFENCE TAKES FOREGO, AS `LUCK’ RUNS OUT

By Francis LaBelle Jr.

Juddmonte Farm’s First Defence was winless in three career start at Saratoga Race Course coming into Saturday’s 29th running of the $250,000, seven-furlong Forego. A talented son of Unbridled’s Song, he finally became a graded stakes winner when he won the Grade 3 Jaipur on the turf at Belmont Park by a head.

Still, he hadn’t quite met the lofty expectations that Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel had set for him.

Until the Forego.


Thanks in part to a disastrous break by heavily favored Lucky Island, First Defence emerged from a three-horse battle on the front, opened up on the lead at the quarter-pole and cruised home for a 6 ¾-length victory in 1:21.55.

It was his First Defence’s first Grade 1 victory, and improved his career record to 6-3-0 from 12 starts.

“He ran like we always thought he could run,” said Frankel, as First Defence out-fought Eternal Star and Bold Start through fractions of 22.53, 44.61 and 1:08.49. “I was shocked that he ran as good as he did. He has been stopping in his last two races. I was waiting for him to start slowing down, but he kept on going. As fast as he is today, he'll go probably go right to the Breeders’ Cup. I was concerned about the 1-post, but he broke with the field and dragged him to them to the lead. Obviously, he likes this track.”

It wasn’t all that obvious entering the race.

First Defence debuted at Saratoga on July 29, 2006 and was a badly beaten seventh. He returned as a three-year-old last year and ran second to Hard Spun in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop.

He did, however, have a strong race here earlier this meet, running second to Lucky Island’s stablemate, Abraaj, in the Grade 2, six-furlong Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 26.

For the Forego, Frankel handed the riding duties on First Defence to Channing Hill, who one week earlier, booted home 88-1 longshot Slambino on the Travers Day card.

This time, he again pulled off the upset, and rewarded the $2 win players with a $17.60 payoff.

“I tried to keep him a little off (the rail) on the backside because Johnny (Velazquez aboard Eternal Star) gave us so much room,” Hill said. “Coming to the three-eighths pole, I figured everyone was going to have to start running to catch us. What a nice horse! He went 44 like he was going 47. He just cruised around there. I have to thank Mr. Frankel and the owners so much for putting me on this horse.

“This is my first Grade 1 and my first stakes win of any kind at Saratoga. It’s great! This is awesome! Again, I have to thank the connections for putting me on.”

Argentina-bred Lucky Island lost for only the second time in his seven-race career, and saw a four-race winning streak halted. He finished seventh, but two heads and neck and a nose separated him from runner-up Greeley’s Conquest.

“Obviously, the start,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin of Lucky Island’s race. “Alan (Garcia, jockey) said he didn’t break well. He stumbled and then got clobbered when he got up. So, he lost all chance.”

Midwest invader Greeley’s Conquest saw a two-race win streak come to an end, but ran second in his Saratoga debut for trainer Gary Thomas.

Ferocious Fires was third and Eternal Star fourth.

Premium Wine, Bold Start, Forefathers and Real Estate trailed.

FOREGO QUOTES

Winning trainer Bobby Frankel of First Defence (No. 2): “He ran like we always thought he could run. I was shocked that he ran as good as he did. He has been stopping in his last two races. I was waiting for him to start slowing down, but he kept on going. As fast as he is today, he'll go probably go right to the Breeders’ Cup. I was concerned about the 1-post, but he broke with the field and dragged him to the lead. Obviously, he likes this track.”

Winning jockey Channing Hill (first Grade 1 and first Saratoga stakes win): “I tried to keep him a little off (the rail) on the backside because Johnny (Velazquez aboard Eternal Star) gave us so much room. Coming to the three-eighths pole, I figured everyone was going to have to start running to catch us. What a nice horse! He went 44 like he was going 47. He just cruised around there. I have to thank Mr. Frankel and the owners so much for putting me on this horse.

“This is my first Grade 1 and my first stakes win of any kind at Saratoga. It’s great! This is awesome! Again, I have to thank the connections for putting me on.”

Kiaran McLaughlin, trainer of favored Lucky Island (ARG) (No. 7): “Obviously, the start. Alan (Garcia, jockey) said he didn’t break well. He stumbled and then got clobbered when he got up. So, he lost all chance.”

Alan Garcia, jockey of Lucky Island: Declined comment

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