Oscar Performance wows 'em in G3 Pilgrim

by Jenny Kellner

Oscar Performance emerged with the lead shortly after the break and never looked back en route to a six-length victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim on Saturday at Belmont Park.

Oscar Performance, who gave jockey Jose Ortiz his second turf stakes win of the afternoon, quickly established position to lead the field of eight 2-year-olds through fractions of 23.55 and 48.98 seconds with My Bo Chop and Sir Douglas in close attendance. Edging away on the turn, the son of Kitten's Joy swung into the stretch with a three-length advantage and was never threatened as he cruised under the wire in 1:42.88 for 1 1/16 miles over a yielding inner turf course.

"I was a little worried about the other two speeds in the race, but I did my planning and that was to break well and see what happens," said Ortiz. "After a sixteenth of a mile, they let have me the lead. As soon as he made the lead, he relaxed very well for me. I didn't push him a lot today. When we entered the stretch, I knew that I was going to open up and that I had a lot of horse. He started playing a little so I had to crack and ride. When I hit him left-handed, he took off."

It was the second straight victory for the Amerman Racing homebred, who broke his maiden at second asking August 20 at Saratoga Race Course in similar style, going wire-to-wire to win by 10 ¼ lengths.

Oscar Performance returned $5.40 for a $2 win wager as the 6-5 favorite. Trained by Brian Lynch, he has now earned $170,132.

"You always hope that these maiden winners aren't one-trick ponies and you hope they can duplicate it, which he did today," said Lynch. "I don't make excuses for him. I think he'd run over broken glass, he's a tough bugger. I didn't think the cut in the ground would be a big deal. As long as it's on turf, he could handle whatever you throw at him.

"I think it was a decent field behind him, so there's plenty to look forward to," he added. "I'd certainly say he's on the wagon headed that way [the Breeders' Cup]."

J. S. Choice was along for second, with Kitten's Cat another three-quarters of a length back in third. Frostmourne checked in fourth, followed by My Bo Chop, Oiseau de Guerre, Bookew Bucks, and Sir Douglas. Thirst for Victory, Cohen's Kat and Bird's Eye View were scratched.