Trail of Gold strikes it rich in NYSSS Statue of Liberty

Trail of Gold notched her first stakes win with a last-to-first trip under Irad Ortiz, Jr. in Wednesday’s $150,000 Statue of Liberty division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a one-mile inner turf test for eligible New York-sired sophomore fillies, at Saratoga Race Course. 

Trained by David Donk, who co-owns the Solomini chestnut with John Behrendt, Charles Marquis, Gerald Donk, William Punk, Jr., Philip DiLeo, Peter Hayes and Suzanne Haslup, Trail of Gold was successful in her fifth stakes attempt, improving from a late-running sixth last out in the state-bred Suzie O’Cain going 1 1/16 miles on July 16 here. 

"I thought she made a step forward today,” Donk said. “She hasn't been that professional in her races. I'd like to think she's putting it together now. She'll run long. Irad says she really doesn't want to run a mile, she wants to run farther than that, but you run them where they write 'em."

Trail of Gold broke a step slow from post 2-of-6 and settled at the rear of the field as Blossoming Erudite sprinted past the sharp-starting Boston’s Phinest to mark the opening quarter-mile in 24.16 seconds over the firm footing with Hangover Heaven running wide in the first turn in search of forward position. 

Positions remained unchanged as Blossoming Erudite marked the half-mile in 48.20 ahead of Hangover Heaven, but the latter was beginning her run under Jose Ortiz to the outside in the final turn while Ortiz, Jr. positioned Trail of Gold widest of all to prepare for her bid through three-quarters in 1:12.75. 

Blossoming Erudite was under real threat heading into the stretch, and Hangover Heaven stuck her head in front around the eighth pole while Boston’s Phinest was in tight along the inside and the favored Disco Star tried to advance inside of the oncoming Nonna Lynne. The tight scramble for the lead did not matter for long as Trail of Gold gained with every stride down the center of the course and swept past the embattled trio to win by 1 3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:36.66. 

Nonna Lynne edged clear of Hangover Heaven for place honors with Disco Star landing fourth. Boston’s Phinest and Blossoming Erudite completed the order of finish. Queen Atlas, Lazy Y Legacy and main track-only entrant Stone Smuggler were scratched. 

Donk said Trail of Gold benefitted from a smoother trip this time after she was away slowly and steadied at the start before chasing in last-of-9 in the O’Cain. 

"She doesn't have the speed, but small field - she was in a much better position [today] going into the first turn,” Donk said. “There was a little cut in the ground and Irad thought it probably helped her. He was really apologetic last time - it wasn't his fault; she just broke a half-step slow and got squeezed back. Early in the meet, it was too much ground to make up on those horses. He felt she was good enough to win that day. He had a lot of confidence, so if he's got confidence then I certainly do.”

Ortiz, Jr. agreed that he was confident Trail of Gold would give a better account of herself on Wednesday. 

“Last time, there was too much to do. She surprised me when she broke that slow and I was so far back,” Ortiz, Jr. explained. “She still ran a good race, I told David that she belongs in this spot and he said, 'so maybe we can go back in the stallion race,' and I said, 'yeah for sure, we're going right back.' It worked out great, he brought the filly ready. She was ready today. She was a little more relaxed in the post parade. I think that helps and obviously the first turn - I was in contact with the field and then she kept leaning in that’s what she does.”

Bred in the Empire State by Spruce Lane Farm, America's Pastime Stable, Copper Beech Stable, et al., Trail of Gold was a $100,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Preferred New York-bred Yearling Sale. She is out of the Bernardini mare Bene Pista, who also produced stakes-winner Mano Dura. Trail of Gold banked $82,500 in victory while returning $14.40 on a $2 win ticket, and improved her record to 3-0-1 from 10 starts. 

Live racing resumes Thursday at Saratoga with a 10-race card, highlighted by the $150,000 NYSSS Cab Calloway in Race 7. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern. 

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

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