viola jasko Photo

Abel Tasman edges Elate in stretch-long duel to win G1 Personal Ensign

by Richard Rosenblatt

Abel Tasman held off a determined stretch-long bid by rival Elate, and then survived a jockey's claim of interference for a thrilling victory in the Grade 1, $700,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

In one of six Grade 1 stakes highlighted by the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers later on the blockbuster card, Abel Tasman pulled off a second close win over Elate, having outdueled her in capturing last year's Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks at the Spa by a head.

This time, Abel Tasman, trained by two-time Triple Crown winner Bob Baffert, won by a neck. The 4-year-old bay by Quality Road took the lead from pacesetter She Takes Heart, a 55-1 long shot, after a half-mile contested in 46.62 seconds and looked to be in control under Hall of Famer MIke Smith heading into the final turn.

But Elate, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, came flying off the turn and the showdown began. Abel Tasman never surrendered the lead but the two were just noses apart before the 3-5 favorite hit the wire first.

"She's just phenomenal,'' said Baffert of Abel Tasman, who then saddled Marley's Freedom to victory in the Grade 1 Ketel One Ballerina in the next race. "She's just getting better with age and she's brought us so much satisfaction. I could have easily run her at Del Mar, but I wanted to come to Saratoga. It doesn't get any bigger than this, when you can win here in front of all these people on Travers Day."

With the victory in the "Win and You're In" race, China Horse Club International and Clearsky Farms' Abel Tasman gained an automatic berth into the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff.

The winning time was 1:47.19 for the 1 ⅛-mile race. Abel Tasman, the 3-year-old filly champion who won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps at Belmont on June 9 in her last start, improved to 8-4-0 in 14 starts with earnings of more than $2.7 million.

Elate's jockey Jose Ortiz filed an objection after the race, claiming interference in the stretch. It appeared that Abel Tasman, on the inside, moved out a bit and came in contact with Elate, who had moved in slightly. After a review by the racing stewards, the order of finish stood.

"I didn't see that [contact] during the race,'' said Baffert. "I thought she was going to get by us there, but I could tell by the way Mike was riding he wasn't really worried. As soon as she saw her, Mike said she just took off. She's an incredible mare. She was champion and she's one of the best I've ever trained, and she just keeps showing it."

Mott did not agree with the decision.

"Very disappointing. Very disappointing,'' he said.

Ortiz felt the same way.

"I think [Abel Tasman] should have come down, 100 percent," he said. "I think [Elate] ran a great race. Both fillies did, but, c'mon. Last year he bumped me, this year he bumped me again, and I should have won both of them."

Smith had a different take on what occurred.

"Down the stretch, we came together. [That was] the reason for the foul, but we didn't knock each other outside,'' said Smith. "We just came together nice and easy and then after that, we actually did the same thing again when she came [over]. It didn't cost either filly anything and the best filly won today. What a gallant race she ran today. It was a really big race."

Abel Tasman returned $3.50 on a $2 win bet. Elate, owned by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, was followed by Wow Cat, who was another 9 ¾ lengths back, Fuhriously Kissed, Farrell and She Takes Heart.

Baffert, who was inducted into Saratoga's Walk of Fame on Friday, had won the last two Travers with Arrogate and Go West, but didn't have a runner in the Mid-Summer Derby.