Later on the card, favored George and Lori Hall’s favored Bold Union ran away from six rivals to win the 102nd running of the $109,500 Astoria for two-year-old fillies at five and a half furlongs. She was a 9 ¾-length victor in 1:05.92, and returned $5.70 as the favorite of the on-track crowd of 5,269.
Mr. Mistoffelees, a $1.5 million purchase in February, was also making his second start after a dominant Polytrack victory at Keeneland on April 24. Breaking from the rail, he bobbled a bit at the start, and Regardlesoftheoutcome inherited the lead from post 2.
Regardlesoftheoutcome, under jockey Elvis Trujillo, got the opening quarter mile in 22.25 and the half in 46.07 on the fast track, as Houseful, a recent gelding, hung with him.
At the quarter-pole, Houseful gave up the chase, but Dagnabit and jockey Cornelio Velasquez began a steady rally that brought them even and eventually by Regardlesoftheoutcome, despite being carried out. His winning time was 1:06.68.
“It wasn’t that much of a surprise because he ran well the first time out, and he’s been training really well up to this point,” said Michelle Nevin, Dutrow’s assistant. “I don’t know what’s next for him.”
It was nine lengths back to Essenceofthemoon, who was followed by Houseful and the disappointing Mr Mistoffelees.
“He stumbled badly at the start, and it took him out of his element,” said Todd Pletcher, trainer of Mr Mistoffelees. “Speed is his weapon, and he lost that in the first jump.”
Bold Union, a Dixie Union filly trained by Kelly Breen, improved to 2-0 with her impressive Astoria victory.
Under jockey Stewart Elliott, she secured an outside path to target front-running Lori Z’s Punch, who broke from the rail to set a pace of 22.28, 46.39 and 59.14 on the fast tracks as thunder and rain drops heralded a coming summer storm. At the quarter-pole, the leader retreated and Bold Union kicked away to put the issue to rest, galloping home effortlessly.
“She trained great,” Breen said. “It looked like she did everything professionally; you couldn’t ask for a better day. There are three stakes races up at Saratoga. I don’t know if we’re going to make it opening day, or wait until later. The horse will tell us how she’s doing.”
Saratoga Race Course, which opens on Wednesday, July 23, offers three traditional graded stakes for juvenile fillies: the Grade 3, $100,000 Schuylerville at six furlongs on Opening Day; the Grade 2, $150,000 Adirondack at six and a half furlongs on Wednesday, August 13 and the Grade 1, $250,000 Spinaway at seven furlongs on Sunday, August 31.
“I worked her before she ran,” Elliott said. “In the race at Monmouth, she made the lead and was pricking her ears like she was waiting for company. Today, we found out she could run.”
Girlfriendontheside was second and Golden Artemis headed Pride for the show. Ride on Josephine, Winning Brew and Lori Z’s Punch trailed.
ASTORIA QUOTES
Winning trainer Kelly Breen of favored Bold Union (No. 6): “She trained great. It looked like she did everything professionally; you couldn’t ask for a better day. There are three stakes races up at Saratoga. I don’t know if we’re going to make it opening day, or wait until later. The horse will tell us how she’s doing.”
Winning jockey Stewart Elliott: “I worked her before she ran. In the race at Monmouth, she made the lead and was pricking her ears like she was waiting for company. Today, we found out she could run.”
TREMONT QUOTES
Michelle Nevin, assistant to winning trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. of Dagnabit (No. 5): “It wasn’t that much of a surprise because he ran well the first time out, and he’s been training really well up to this point. I don’t know what’s next for him.”
Winning jockey Cornelio Velasquez: “I put him in a good spot early. I think he is a really nice horse”
Todd Pletcher, trainer of beaten favorite and fifth-place finisher Mr Mistoffelees (No. 1): He stumbled badly at the start. It took him out of his element. Speed is his weapon, and he lost that in the first jump. “