Green Light Go runs to his odds in Special
By Jeff Scott appeared to make contact near the 3/16ths pole, with Tuggle evidently getting the worst of it. Once they were clear of each other, however, it was Green Light Go who had the momentum, running to daylight and coasting to a 3 ¾-length victory. Noose did his best running late, chasing down Tuggle for the second spot.
“I put him in the race, and he handled everything very professionally,” said Alvarado. “I knew how much horse I had, and I was very excited at the way he was handling the kickback, and just rating behind horses very kindly. He’s got a body like a 4-year-old, and his mind is like an old horse’s mind. He’s very focused.”
The winning time was a sharp 1:15.68 for 6½ furlongs over a “fast” main track. Peruvian Boy finished fourth, four lengths behind Tuggle. Zyarmid, Long Weekend and Iberico trailed in that order.
“He ran well without having to be on the lead, which was good to see,” said winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens. “The track has been so speed-favoring lately. He sat in the pocket just nice up against the bridle. He leaned a little in the stretch, but I guess he’s still learning. He was also composed in the paddock, so we might really have a nice one here.”
Jerkens said Green Light Go, a Stronach Stables homebred, would likely run next in either the Hopeful (Sep. 2) or the Champagne (Oct. 5 at Belmont).
Trainer Eddie Kenneally was pleased with the performance of runner-up Noose.
“The inside post was not ideal, and we took the brunt of it. We got a lot of dirt. The horse is brave and kept running. Just second-best today.”