Chelsea Durand Photo

Teresa Z finds daylight to win G3 Turnback the Alarm

by Brian Bohl

St. Elias Stable's Teresa Z stalked the early speed and made a strong move out of the final turn before gearing down for a six-length win in the 24th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Turnback the Alarm Handicap on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Out of the gate, Bishop's Pond did the heavy lifting, leading the six-horse field though the opening-quarter mile in 24.14 seconds and the half in 48.86 on the harrowed main track labeled good.

Under jockey Trevor McCarthy, Teresa Z stayed to the inside coming out of the clubhouse turn and continued with a ground-saving trip up the backstretch. After briefly fading to last, McCarthy angled her out nearing the far turn as she overtook all challengers, including Forever Liesl at the top of the stretch, to cruise to the wire, completing 1 1/8 miles in a final time of 1:51.68.

"I was able to sit in a nice stalking spot after the break," McCarthy said. "Saved all the ground and in the second turn she was just so much the best. I just let everybody go and got her out as soon as I could. She likes to be outside of horses. It seems that's the way she likes to run. When she gets that big stride of hers going, nobody's catching her."

The victory marked trainer Anthony Margotta, Jr,'s first graded stakes victory at a NYRA track since Silver Fox won the 1995 Grade 3 New York Stuyvesant Handicap at the Big A.

Off as the 8-5 favorite, Teresa Z returned $5.40 on a $2 win bet. The 4-year-old Smart Strike filly improved her career bankroll to $382,320. Her third dam is Hall of Famer Personal Ensign, who went 13-for-13 in her career, including the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff.

"We thought this would be the best spot to get another win into her," Margotta, Jr. said. "She's very well-bred. Her third dam is Personal Ensign, who 30 years ago today won the Breeders' Cup Distaff for her 13th win in a row. So, this was a very important day for the St. Elias team and we're very grateful."

Forever Liesl, trained by Michelle Nevin, finished six lengths clear of Holy Helena for second in her first stakes start since running third in the Summer Colony on August 19 at Saratoga Race Course.

Bishop's Pond, Arraign and Moonlit Garden completed the order of finish. Divine Miss Grey was scratched.