Disco Partner heroic in Troy

by Jenny Kellner

Disco Partner closed fastest of all down the middle of the course and emerged triumphant in a blanket finish to earn his first stakes victory in Saturday's $100,000 Troy at Saratoga Race Course.

A 4-year-old son of Disco Rico, Disco Partner was allowed to settle in fifth, six lengths off leaders Spring to the Sky and Rainbow Heir, who dueled through an opening quarter-mile in 21.79 seconds, with the half going in 43.91. Angled to the outside by Jose Ortiz on the turn, Disco Partner hit his best stride in midstretch and surged past Rainbow Heir while holding off Green Mask and Long On Value in the shadow of the wire to win by a neck.

His time for the 5 ½ furlongs on the firm Mellon turf course was 1:00.93.

"Today we broke very clean, that was our concern," said Ortiz. "We took a good position and had a perfect trip."

The victory was the second of the year for Disco Partner, who opened his 2016 campaign in May with an allowance win. Overall, the Patricia Generazio homebred is 5-4-2 from 14 starts with earnings of $359,310.

"With five and a half [furlongs], he probably has to lay a little closer than he would like, but Jose did a great job and got him up, and that is all that counts," said winning trainer Jim Ryerson. "I told him to try to get him in the clear for the run. He's not the type of horse you want to pick your way through while saving ground and waiting for a seam. He really has to get that momentum sweeping off that turn. That seems like his best race."

Sent off at 4-1, Disco Partner returned $10.40 for a $2 win bet.

Ryerson said the $150,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational on October 8 at Belmont Park is likely for Disco Partner's next start.

Runner-up Green Mask, the 5-2 favorite, was a nose in front of Rainbow Heir, who in turn nosed out Long On Value for third. Checking in fifth, a half-length back, was Calgary Cat, who in turn was followed under the wire by Spring to the Sky and Songsational.

Asset Inflation, High Noon Rider, Holy Boss and Weekend Hideaway were scratched.