NEWS
Vale of York rallies late to take Juvenile
Posted: Saturday, November 07, 2009 4:01 PM
VALE OF YORK
Benoit & Associates photo
by Steve Bailey
It took Godolphin more than half of the two-day Breeders’ Cup card to pick up its first victory, but lightly regarded Vale of York (Ire) made up for it in a big way on Saturday as he rallied in the stretch to capture the $2-million Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park.
The bay Invincible Spirit colt out of the Halling mare Red Vale was one of the Dubai-based stable’s least-heralded runners of the weekend, but he certainly made the biggest splash halfway through Saturday’s card as he held off favorite Lookin At Lucky by a head at odds of 30.60-to-1.
Now, Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor has his eyes set on a bigger American prize on the first Saturday in May.
“He ran a huge race,” Suroor said. “I fancied the horse before the race because he was improving all the time."
“Every time he’s come for a race, he’s handled everything very well. He’s a tough horse, and next year we’ll bring him for the Kentucky Derby [Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)].
Vale of York won his career debut in a seven-furlong race on July 24 and then was unplaced in the Racing UK Acomb Stakes (Eng-G3) on August 18, both at York. He rebounded with a victory in the Peter Willett Stardom Stakes on September 8 at Goodwood and finished third and second, respectively, in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (Eng-G2) on September 26 and Gran Criterium (Ity-G1) on October 11 in his two previous starts.
In the Juvenile, maiden winner Piscitelli jumped out early and took the field through a half-mile in :48.78 and six furlongs in 1:13.02 while Vale of York rated in third, then fourth, under Ahmed Ajtebi.
Lookin At Lucky, who entered unbeaten in four career starts, raced in tenth through at the half-mile pole and ninth through three-quarters before jockey Garrett Gomez began to move the Smart Strike colt into position for a late charge.
Down the stretch, it was Vale of York who took command, angling out and driving powerfully to the line, covering 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.48. Lookin At Lucky finally got uncorked late and tried gamely to collar the leader but failed.
“No difficulties today; I had a very good trip,” Ajtebi said. “The last time I rode this horse [in the Gran Criterium] about three weeks ago in Italy, he was very unlucky. We were going to win and he saw the crowd and stopped himself. By the time I got him back going, we got beat.
“Today, it all went well. When I shifted him out, he just went and he was strong enough at the finish to get it done.”
Lookin At Lucky, the 2.20-to-1 favorite in the field of 13, held for second by a half-length over Dixiana Breeders’ Futurity (G1) winner Noble’s Promise.
“He showed today what a great horse he is,” trainer Bob Baffert said of Lookin At Lucky. “It’s frustrating to know you have much the best horse and come up short like that. I didn’t give him any chance at the half-mile pole. At least you know you can look forward to the Derby.”
Bred in Ireland by Stock Vale Ltd., Vale of York has won three of six starts and earned $1,151,186.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
For video of Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford, click here.
For quotes, click here.
Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times
