August 12, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Watchful Eye
Originally scheduled for Saratoga’s turf, Tropical Storm Debby pushed the $300,000 Troy Stakes (G3) to the dirt.
The change in surface caused eight hopefuls to drop out, leaving five to compete for the top spot in the 5 ½-furlong tilt.
It didn’t turn out to be much of a battle, however, as 3-2 favorite Surveillance had the Troy on lockdown.
Under the hand of top rider Tyler Gaffalione, the 5-year-old gelding patiently tailed leaders Step Forward and Outlaw Kid before sliding outside and pulling away for a 3 ¼-length clearance.
The first graded stakes score of Surveillance’s 36-race career (10-5-8) paid an even $5.
California Cruisin’
Since arriving at Santa Anita on May 29 of last year, Anisette (GB) has simply owned the California circuit, registering six wins through eight starts (6-2-0).
The latest tally on the 4-year-old filly’s laundry list of successes came this past Saturday in the $200,500 Yell Ribbon Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar.
Anisette made good on her lofty 1-5 billing with a confident, no-nonsense trip that saw rider Umberto Rispoli hit the gas at the perfect time to drive past Uncorked (AUS) for a 1 ¼-length triumph.
The Leonard Powell trainee has now won three straight starts (Grade 1 American Oaks and Grade 1 Gamely) and sits within $100,000 of the $1 million lifetime earnings milestone.
Saturday’s breeze paid $2.60.
Crushed It
Full Count Felicia got her pitch and knocked it out of the park on Saturday at Woodbine.
The 5-year-old mare put an end to a brief three-race losing skid with a dominant gate-to-wire effort in the $200,000 Canadian Stakes (G2T).
Running from the third post position, Full Count Felicia and jockey Rafael Hernandez calmly leapt out to an early lead and never looked back en route to a 2 ¾-length conquest.
It was a welcome sight for the Kevin Attard trainee, who missed the podium her last two times out in the Endeavour (G3T) and Nassau (G2T).
Sent off as the 5-2 choice, the now multiple graded stakes winner paid a pleasant $7.80.
Keeping it Interesting
Most Wanted stayed perfect through three starts after holding on by a nose to take the $275,000 Ellis Park Derby on Sunday afternoon.
Pitted against 4-1 foe Not this Boy down the stretch, Most Wanted had just enough left in the tank to hold on.
But that’s nothing new for the 3-year-old colt, who has made a habit of taking things down to the wire.
Last time out, Most Wanted cleared the second-place finisher by three-quarters of a length. In his first taste of pro action, the Florent Geroux mount won by a neck.
Either way, a win’s a win no matter how slim.
The Ellis Park Derby conquest paid a cool $8.06.
How Much is Rent?
The winner’s circle at Saratoga has become a second home for Carl Spackler (IRE), who visited once again on Sunday afternoon after taking the $500,000 Fourstardave (G1T).
It was business as usual for the 4-year-old colt, who came out of the 1-mile affair with his fourth win in five lifetime starts at the upstate New York venue.
The commanding 3 ½-length victory also marked the fourth graded stakes win for the Tyler Gaffalione mount and second in as many starts (Grade 3 Kelso on Jul. 13).
Closing as the second choice at 2-1 behind 3-2 favorite Ottoman Fleet (GB), Carl Spackler’s latest triumph paid $6.10.