Harlan's Harmony's late flourish wins Skidmore

by Brian Bohl

Harlan's Harmony made an impressive stretch-drive surge to overtake Wellabled right before the wire in winning by a head in Friday's $100,000 Skidmore for 2-year-olds at Saratoga Race Course.

The Curragh Stables' chestnut colt won his stakes debut in finishing the 5 ½-furlong Mellon turf course in 1:03.26. Trained by John Terranova, Harlan's Harmony improved to 2-for-2 in his career after a maiden-breaking win on July 14 at Belmont Park.

"I don't believe he is just a sprinter," said Terranova about Harlan's Harmony, who has also won at six furlongs. "We knew there was some speed in this race, and that some horses that looked like that is what they wanted to do. We originally were going to go in the With Anticipation - I kind of decided on this late - he is just a little bit young and mature. He's fast, but I thought we would give him just one more sprint race before we decided to stretch him out." 

Wellabled, the 8-5 choice, set fast fractions of 21.59, 44.74 and 56.90 seconds leaving from the rail. Harlan's Harmony, who left from the outside post and trailed by 9 ½-lengths at the three-eighths mark, was swung four wide coming out of the turn by jockey Angel Arroyo, who went to a right-handed whip to take the lead in the final furlong. 

"After the break she settled and I got a very good trip," Arroyo said. "I didn't think I was too far back entering the stretch. I knew I had horse and thankfully we timed it well to get there in time."

The 7-2 wagering choice, Harlan's Harmony paid $9.00 on a $2 win wager and improved his career earnings to $105,000.

Wellabled, trained by Larry Rivelli, finished 4 ¼ lengths in front of Freud's Friend, a Charlton Baker-trained bay gelding, for second. 

Gemologister, Iron Mane and Mbrace Grace completed the order of finish.