NEWS
Interactif scores in Hall of Fame Stakes
Posted: Friday, August 13, 2010 6:39 PM
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
INTERACTIF (middle)
To watch the Hall of Fame video, click here.
by Steve Bailey
After starting Interactif in some of the top three-year-old races this spring and summer, trainer Todd Pletcher knew it was only a matter of time until the multiple Grade 3 winner found the right spot to once again reach the winner’s circle.
The three-year-old Broken Vow colt appeared comfortable on Friday as he took command approaching the stretch and held off a pair of challengers for a nose victory in the $150,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course.
Interactif, who won a pair of Grade 3 races as a juvenile, opened his season with back to back runner-up finishes in the Hallandale Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park and to Sidney’s Candy in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.
From there, it was a fourth-place finish in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), a sixth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (G1), and a second-place finish in the Virginia Derby (G2) at Colonial Downs.
Pletcher said he was confident he would see Interactif’s best after running against top competition for much of the season.
“It was about trying to find the right spot for him,” Pletcher said. “He’s been ambitiously placed all year. He won his first stakes here on the turf last year. We wanted to get back on track and in the winner’s circle.”
Krypton and Paris Vegas traded the lead during the first half-mile in :48.58. Paris Vegas had a clear lead through six furlongs as Interactif, the 4-to-5 favorite under jockey Javier Castellano, settled in third on the outside, waiting to make his move.
Moving out three wide on the second turn, Interactif took the lead near the eighth pole and drove gamely to the finish line, holding off charges from Grand Rapport and Krypton to win by a nose. He covered 1 1/8 miles in 1:46.34 on firm turf.
“It was a small field with not too many horses, and they put up a slow pace with slow fractions,” Castellano said. “I just took cover on the first turn, saved ground the best I could, but on the far turn I had to make my own decision.
“Turning for home, it looked like three horses were in it and it was going to be a good race. I’m very excited with the way he ran today.”
Grand Rapport could not overtake the leader and finished second, a head in front of Grade 3 winner Krypton.
Pletcher said Interactif, who earned his fourth victory from 11 starts and boosted his earnings to $563,350, could be pointed toward the Jamaica Handicap (G1) on October 9 at Belmont Park.
Out of the unraced Broad Brush mare Broad Pennant, Interactif is from the family of unbeaten champion Personal Ensign, champion Storm Flag Flying, and Grade 1 winners My Flag, Miner’s Mark, and Traditionally.
Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times
For an Equibase chart, click here.
To watch the Hall of Fame video, click here.
