NYRA/Coglianese Photo

Global Access runs down Good Governance in G3 Saranac

by Ryan Martin

Live Oak Plantation's Global Access bested a five-horse field of sophomores outkicking Good Governance by a neck to win Saturday's Grade 3, $200,000 Saranac over the firm inner turf at Saratoga Race Course.

Piloted by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, Global Access broke sharply for the 1 1/16-mile event and went three-wide around the turn, looking to gain on pacesetter Power Player who posted splits of 24.49 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and the half-mile in 49.66 with dual New York-bred stakes winner Rinaldi in second.

At the top of the stretch, 3-5 mutuel favorite Good Governance confronted Power Player in tandem with Rinaldi, as Global Access made a wide move. Power Player began to give way as Good Governance was in command with Rinaldi to his inside. Global Access picked up ground in the final furlong and overtook Good Governance in the final jumps, hitting the wire in a final time of 1:41.80.

Good Governance finished one length ahead of Seismic Wave, followed by Rinaldi and Power Player.

Trained by Michael Trombetta, Global Access was the most seasoned of the Saranac's five contenders with 10 starts under his belt.

Earlier this season, he won the Sophomore Turf against his Florida-bred counterparts and the Grade 3 Marine over the all weather surface at Woodbine in May. He entered the Saranac off of a close third to Casa Creed in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame.

The win was a seventh stakes victory of the meet for Velazquez, who guided Global Access to his prior effort in the Hall of Fame and used the outing as a learning experience.

"Last time, we got in trouble behind horses. So, today I put my hands down and he was comfortable on the outside and relaxed much better that way," Velazquez said. "When I put him behind horses last time he was very rank, so today was totally different. He relaxed really well and kicked hard down the lane. I was really comfortable with the way he was going."

Trombetta said the turf may have played differently for Saturday's winning performance.

"Talking with John after he rode him the first time, I could just sense he was a little frustrated and it didn't go as well as he wanted," Trombetta said. "At the time, the turf course was carrying really fast. I think he was anxious to get another opportunity to ride him. He managed him great today. I was a little concerned when he settled back off what looked like a slow pace. He obviously was very comfortable doing what he did. It's a little later in the meet and maybe [the turf] isn't quite as fast as it's been. I think the horse probably preferred that a little more, plus the extra sixteenth of a mile."

Trombetta did not rule out stretching the horse out in distance later on down the road.

"He did really well at Woodbine and did good in Tampa and he's come here and has done well. He shows up every time and does well," Trombetta said. "I don't think this horse has any distance limitations. He always finishes up with good energy and gallops out strong. If I get the opportunity to try him further, I certainly will."

Global Access is a homebred chestnut son of Giant's Causeway out of the graded stakes winning and producing broodmare Daveron, whose other son March to the Arch won the Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill Downs in June.

Global Access returned $10 for a $2 win wager and brought his lifetime earnings up to $316,742 after cashing $110,000 from Saturday's win.