No Dozing prevails in swift optional claimer
By Jeff Scott SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Saturday’s third-race optional claimer at seven furlongs figured to provide some class relief for the well-traveled Awesome Slew. The 5-year-old son of Awesome Again has won three graded stakes and placed in nine others – including the Forego, Carter and BC Dirt Mile, all Grade 1s. Awesome Slew’s last win came almost a year ago, though, and he was coming off an up-the-track finish in the Met Mile.
As is his wont, Awesome Slew (the 4-5 favorite) fell well back early as second choice Behavioral Bias tore through a half in 44.20 seconds. Behavioral Bias straightened out with a two-length lead and looked pretty comfortable as he rolled down the stretch. But No Dozing (61) had the 4-year-old gelding measured, going by in the final 50 yards to win by three quarters of a length. The running time was a sizzling 1:20.81. Awesome Slew finished third, 2 ¾ lengths behind Behavioral Bias.
The win improves No Dozing’s record to 4-2-1 from 13 starts. The 4-yearold Union Rags gelding’s considerable stakes experience – he has placed in three graded races – includes a sixth in last year’s H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. Perhaps a start in the Forego on Travers Day (Aug. 25) will be next? Southern Phantom came on strong late in the sixth race, a maiden special weight for two-year-olds over five and half furlongs, fnishing fifth. to Nitrous, the 4-5 favorite. Breaking from the no. 2 post, the Tapit colt was hustled to the front by Ricardo Santana Jr. and stayed there, turning back a mild mid-stretch bid from Puttheglassdown to score a 3¼-length victory. The winner scooted the 5½ furlongs in 1:03.70.
Steve Asmussen conditions the Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred. Nitrous is now 1-for-2 in his brief career, having been out-finished by a neck in his debut at Churchill on June 14.
After racing in ninth much of the way, Southern Phantom closed willingly to get up for fifth in the 10-horse field.