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Sterling Silver casts aside rivals in $125K Johnstone Mile

by Mary Eddy

Mark T. Anderson’s multiple graded stakes-placed Sterling Silver made a sparkling return to the winner’s circle in Wednesday’s $125,000 Johnstone Mile, a handicap route from the Wilson Chute for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Sterling Silver relished a stretch out and a return to state-bred company after a last-out fifth in the six-furlong Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap on July 24 here, notching her eighth lifetime victory and her first Spa stakes conquest. She made her third start for Mott after making her first 21 outings for the now-retired trainer Tom Albertrani.

Mott said the extra distance helped the talented gray settle under the expert guidance of jockey Junior Alvarado.

“He didn't have to rush her today, with this group,” said Mott. “I'm sure there [are] good fillies out there to run a mile, but she seemed to handle the mile really well today and did it easily. She was in the bridle the whole way rather than having to scrub on her to make her keep up with the pace.”

Sterling Silver carried a field-high 124 pounds and emerged from post 2 to stalk in third early as Sunset Louise broke sharply to her inside and led the compact field of five through an opening quarter-mile in 24.14 seconds over the fast main track.

The field raced in an even line down the backstretch with Smokin’ Hot Kitty applying mild pressure from second and Sterling Silver maintaining comfortable stalking position as the half-mile elapsed in 47.50. Approaching the turn, Kendrick Carmouche made a decisive move aboard Smokin’ Hot Kitty and quickly took command from the rail-riding Sunset Louise as Maggy’s Palace ranged up three-wide and a loaded Sterling Silver awaited racing room.

Smokin’ Hot Kitty remained in command as the field exited the turn, but Sterling Silver went around the tiring Sunset Louise and was full of run behind foes. With the rail now open, Alvarado opted to go inside of Smokin’ Hot Kitty at the top of the lane and Sterling Silver was in front within a few strides, drawing well clear of the rallying Maggy’s Palace in the stretch to cross the wire 9 3/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:37.40.

Maggy’s Palace finished three-quarter lengths ahead of Smokin’ Hot Kitty for place with Bustin Bay and Sunset Louise completing the order of finish. Cupid’s Heart and Echo in Eternity were scratched.

Alvarado concurred with Mott about the added distance for his charge, who stretched out beyond seven furlongs for the first time since a second in the 1 1/16-mile state-bred Critical Eye last May.

"I thought distance might have helped today. Bill thought for sure she would be better between seven [furlongs] and a mile,” said Alvarado. “I just think today, [it was] easier company but she ran really nice. She relaxed and was able to finish up very well without me having to really ask her to run at the end. She did everything on her own today. We didn't have to rush her off her feet, she was just dragging me around and I just had to wait for an opening and when I found it, I just gave her a little nudge and she finished up well."

Mott added a return to open company could be in play for Sterling Silver, with an exact spot still to be determined.

"We're open to run against open company if the right spot comes up,” said Mott. “We'll just see. I have no plan as of today."

Bred by Mallory Mort and Karen Mort, Sterling Silver banked $68,750 in victory while returning $3.50 as the 3-4 mutuel favorite. The 5-year-old Cupid mare adds to previous state-bred stakes conquests in the 2022 Franklin Square and 2023 Iroquois at Aqueduct Racetrack and the 2022 Bouwerie at Belmont Park for Albertrani. Her record stands at 25-8-3-4 with $837,301 in earnings.

Live racing resumes Thursday at Saratoga with a 10-race card, featuring the $125,000 John Morrissey Handicap in Race 3. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

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