Coglianese / NYRA Photo Photo

Catch a Bid up in time in $100K Riskaverse

by Keith McCalmont

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Klaravich Stables' Catch a Bid arrived in the final stride to collar pacesetter Dalika in Thursday's $100,000 Riskaverse, a one-mile circuit of the inner turf course for sophomore fillies at Saratoga Race Course.

Conditioned by Saratoga leading trainer Chad Brown, the Real Solution bay arrived at the Riskaverse from a narrow neck defeat in a 1 1/16-mile optional-claiming tilt to Varenka, who exited that event to dead heat for victory in the Grade 2 Lake Placid.

Sent to post as the 4-5 mutuel favorite, Catch a Bid settled in fourth position under Irad Ortiz, Jr., as Dalika, with Jose Ortiz up, marked the opening quarter-mile in 24.20 seconds on the turf course rated yielding.

Dalika maintained her advantage through a half-mile in 48.83 as All Quality pestered in second with Xanthique tracking outside from third position. Ortiz, Jr. urged Catch a Bid into contention through the final turn, patiently waiting for room along the rail before angling to the three-path to gain second as the field straightened away.

Set down for the stretch run, Catch a Bid gained steadily on the stubborn Dalika, needing every blade of grass to secure the narrow head score in a final time of 1:36.31. Xanthique completed the trifecta with New and Improved, Hotsy Totsy and All Quality rounding out the order of finish.

Ortiz, Jr., aboard Catch a Bid for the first time, was full of praise for Catch a Bid.

"She's a nice filly," said Ortiz, Jr. "She did everything right. She got a good trip. I just got through, dipped her out and she responded very well. She looks like she could [get some extra distance]."

The victory marked the second Riskaverse score for Brown, who previously captured the event in 2012 with Dayatthespa.

The three-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer, who saddled Real Solution to Grade 1 scores in the 2013 Arlington Million and 2014 Manhattan, said it was special to see Catch a Bid earn her first stakes win.

"I trained her sire as well, so this is really special," said Brown. "It's neat to see a mini Real Solution march around the barn. She's a real honest horse and ran well in all three of her first starts."

Brown said the $200,000 Pebbles, a one-turn mile slated for September 14 at Belmont Park, is a likely next spot for Catch a Bid.

"This was Irad's first time on her and he filled in and did a terrific job," said Brown. "She was always in very close striking distance and luckily, she was in close proximity when she turned for home. I still think she's a bit of a miler. I'll probably look at a race like the Pebbles next. The runner-up gave a game effort."

Catch a Bid, bred in Kentucky by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, banked $55,000 in victory, while improving her record to two wins and one second from three starts. She paid $3.80 for a $2 win ticket.

Live racing resumes on Friday with New York Breeders' Showcase Day, featuring six stakes worth $1.15 million, including the $250,000 Albany for 3-year-olds. Showcase Day kicks off the Travers Racing Festival with 11 races devoted exclusively to New York-breds. First post is 1 p.m.