Pricey 2-year-olds finish 1-2 in opener
By David M. Johnson SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The opening race of 2017 Travers day featured five 2-year-old colts getting their first career start.
Of the information that was available on the field, the $1 million sales price on Good Magic proved to be the most convincing for the public as the Curlin colt was sent off as a less-than even odds favorite.
He came up a length short of Hazit, a $430,000 colt purchased by Eclipse Thoroughbred Parners.
Hazit needed some encouragement from jockey John Velazquez at the start, but once he made the lead he never relinquished it.
Good Magic provided challenges at the far turn and again at the final furlong marker, but was held off both times by Hazit. Good Magic held on for second, four lengths ahead of Road to Meath.
The final time for the 7 furlong race on a fast main track was 1:16.40.
It was the first winner of the day for trainer Todd Pletcher, who had nine starters, and earned a key victory over Good Magic trainer Chad Brown in the Saratoga standings.
Pletcher’s streak of consecutive Saratoga training wins was ended in 2016 when Brown had a record number of wins.
Hazit, a War Front colt out of Rumor by Indian Charlie, was bred by Raydelz Stable in Kentucky. He was purchased for $430,000 by owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.