NEWS
Majesticperfection runaway winner in Vanderbilt
Posted: Sunday, August 08, 2010 5:42 PM
MAJESTICPERFECTION
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
To view the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, click here.
by Patrick Reed
Padua Stables’ Majesticperfection entered the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) on Sunday at Saratoga Race Course as a certifiable “buzz” horse in the sprint division, largely based on his record-setting score in the Iowa Sprint Handicap at Prairie Meadows Racetrack on June 25.
The four-year-old Harlan’s Holiday colt set a track record for six furlongs in a blistering 1:07.24 in the Iowa Sprint. Majesticperfection validated that performance and served notice that he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in November with an effortless win over a quality field in the Vanderbilt under regular rider Shaun Bridgmohan.
Sent off as the even-money favorite in a field of seven, Majesticperfection immediately seized the lead out of the starting gate and methodically doled out his speed through fractions of :22.80 and :45.60 through a half-mile. Grade 2 winner Big Drama tracked in second but only offered modest pressure on Majesticperfection, while Grade 3 winner Mambo Meister stalked in third on the backstretch.
Bribon (Fr), winner of the 2009 Shadwell Metropolitan Handicap (G1), mustered a mild rally from last and fanned five wide entering the stretch to join Big Drama in pursuit, but Majesticperfection powered away from the field in the final furlong and never was seriously threatened in a 2 ¾-length victory. He covered six furlongs in 1:08.63 on a track rated as fast.
Big Drama won the battle for second over Bribon by a half-length. Grade 1 winner Gayego finished another 2 ½ lengths back in fourth.
“Majesticperfection broke really smart and sharp, and he made my job a lot easier,” Bridgmohan said. “He’s a pretty quick horse and really professional. Once he got [the lead], he felt really comfortable and we got away with some nice fractions.
“I knew before the Iowa Sprint Handicap that he was the real deal. I’ve known it since the first time I rode him.”
Trainer Steve Asmussen praised Bridgmohan’s ride following the race and speculated on Majesticperfection’s possible path to a start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs in November.
“My horse had a chance to show who he is [today], and he got it done. I think he beat a very good group, but we’ve got to reproduce that performance again. It’s just one of my suggestions, but we may plan for the Vosburgh Stakes [(G1) at Belmont Park in October] and then the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.”
Majesticperfection earned his first graded win on Sunday and boosted his career mark to five wins in six starts and earnings of $310,430. He is out of the Wavering Monarch mare Act So Noble.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Patrick Reed is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
