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Search Results finds Grade 1 glory in the Acorn Stakes

by Lynne Snierson

Search Results found herself in the Belmont Park winner’s circle and restated her case as the one of the elite 3-year-old fillies in her division, when she dug deep in the stretch to best four others of her age and gender in the 91st running of Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Acorn Stakes.

Owned by Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables and trained by four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown, the 4-5 favorite bobbled at the break and then sat behind honest splits of :23.50, :47.23, and 1:11 flat before assuming control by the eighth pole and repelling dual late challenges from Make Mischief to her inside and the fast-closing Obligatory on her outside.

Search Results covered the one-turn mile on a fast track in 1:35.50, finishing a half-length in front of Obligatory, while 21-1 longshot Make Mischief was another length behind in third.

The win was the first top-level score for the Kentucky-bred daughter of Flatter out of the Candy Ride mare Co Cola. Her only loss in five career starts came last out in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks to Malathaat at 1 1/8 miles on April 30 at Churchill Downs.

Brown, who won the 2019 Acorn with Guarana, praised the gutsy filly.

“I’m just so proud of her to come back in five weeks after a real dog fight with Malathaat,” said Brown. “To bounce right back and lay it on the line again, this filly has so much talent and so much heart. She’s a very rare kind of horse to have, and we’re so lucky to have her.”

Search Results was ridden by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, who took over the reins for the injured Irad Ortiz, Jr. and won his third edition of the Acorn. Castellano had previously piloted Search Results to victory in the Busher Invitational in March at Aqueduct Racetrack.

“I was at the right place at the right time. I was very fortunate to [get the mount]. I’m thankful to Chad Brown for the opportunity to ride this horse; we’ve had a lot of success in the past. I’m sorry for Irad Ortiz that he got hurt, but it gave me the opportunity to ride,” said Castellano, who previously won the Acorn with Gabby's Golden Gal [2009] and Contested [2012]. "The way this filly ran before at Aqueduct [was impressive] and she gave me such a good run. She’s a straightforward filly. I like the way she races. Outside post, tracking the speed, when it’s time to go, she’s very professional; I like the way she did it today.

"The pace wasn’t fast but she was right there,” he continued. “That’s the good thing about her. You can put her where you want. You can be a little closer to the pace or you can be a little bit off the pace. I don’t think she’s a difficult horse to manage. She’s very easy and straightforward. I’m just lucky I had the opportunity to ride her.”

Search Results, a $310,000 yearling purchase, rewarded her backers with $3.80 for a $2 wager. Undefeated at the one-mile distance, the multiple graded stakes winner is now 4-1-0 in 5 career efforts.

Dayoutoftheoffice and Travel Column completed the order of finish. Miss Brazil was scratched and will race in Sunday’s $150,000 Jersey Girl at Belmont.

Jose Ortiz, jockey aboard runner-up Obligatory, said the slow pace hampered his chances.

“She ran huge. The pace was a lot slower today and when they started running at the three-eighths pole, they got the jump on me,” said Ortiz. “It was very hard to keep her engaged with them, but she made a good run down the lane.”

Tyler Gaffalione was also impressed with Gary Barber’s New York-bred Make Mischief.

“She gave me a big effort today, She broke well and put herself in a nice position," said Gaffalione. "Coming into the stretch, the six [Search Results] went about her business, but she kept fighting all the way to the wire. It was a big effort today.”

The Acorn was part of a blockbuster day of racing at Belmont Park highlighted by the 153rd running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.

Live racing continues Sunday at Belmont Park with a nine-race card featuring the $150,000 Jersey Girl. First post is 1 p.m. Eastern.