Rachel's Temper / Chelsea Durand Photo

Rachel's Temper wins stakes debut in Summer Colony

by Brian Bohl

Rachel's Temper stayed patient before a stretch drive surge made her stakes debut victorious with a 1 ½-length score in Monday's $100,000 Summer Colony for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up on Saratoga Race Course's main track.

Jockey Joel Rosario stayed well off the pace as Rachel's Temper went from last three-quarters of a mile in to second coming out of the far turn. Claimed by Charlton Baker for $62,500 out of her last start, the 5-year-old Flatter mare saved ground and went five wide before overtaking Tiger Ride just outside the sixteenth pole.

Rachel's Temper hit the wire in 1:50.31 for the 1 1/8-mile course.

Money'soncharlotte established fast fractions of 23.04, 46.74 and 1:11.69 with only Milaya near the pacesetter early on the fast track.

"I was happy about it [the pace]. I just tried taking my time and she handled it well," Rosario said. "She was back, but she's always honest. She tries hard, and I had a lot of confidence in her. It was a good race for her today."

The 3-1 wagering choice, Rachel's Temper paid $8.40 on a $2 win wager to improve her career earnings to $371,905. After breaking her maiden in her 15th career start, her record now stands at 6-6-5.

"She looked like a nice filly. I always liked her and once I saw her for the claiming price I thought it was an opportunity to get her," Baker said. "We claimed her with the intention of running her back [for the claiming tag] but she ran so good out of that race that the nominations were up for this race so I figured just put her in and see what it looked like. It came up like she'd run a quality race."

Tiger Ride, ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado, finished one length ahead of Sweetgrass for second. Eskenformoney, the even-money favorite, finished fourth while Money'soncharlotte and Milaya completed the order of finish.

Summer Colony is named after the Mark Hennig-trained filly who won the 2002 Grade 1 Personal Ensign. She also captured the 2003 Grade 2 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap and the 2002 Grade 2 La Canada. Her Grade 3 wins included the Ladies Handicap, the Pimlico Breeders' Cup Distaff Handicap and the Delaware Handicap. Hennig was on hand in the winner's circle to greet Rachel's Temper's connections.