Archwarrior lives up to Spa billing

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For weeks, the word was out. Trainer Todd Pletcher, who seemed to win with every 2yearold he saddled at this meet, had yet to run the best horse in his barn — a colt with the daunting name of Archwarrior, who made his longawaited debut in yesterday’s third race at the Old Spa.

Purchased at auction last March for $375,000 by Alto Racing, Archwarrior be came the buzz of the Saratoga backstretch after a pair of bullet fivefurlong workouts from the gate early in the meet: a :58.59 drill on July 30, followed by a :59.67 move on Aug. 5.

First entered to race on Aug. 11, the strapping dark bay son of Arch was scratched because of the wet track. Entered again last Saturday, he did not draw in off the alsoeligible list.

The waiting game only served to build the drama. Not in years — perhaps since August 1995, when Unbridled’s Song won first time out by 8 ½ lengths at 35 — had a young colt’s unveiling been so eagerly anticipated.

“We’ve brought a lot of firsttime starters here over the years, but I’ve never had so many questions beforehand,” said Pletcher.

Archwarrior opened in the betting at 19 before drifting to 15 at post time for the sixfurlong maiden dash with a purse of $80,000. Ridden by John Velazquez, he tracked the early pace, moved into contention on the far turn, and bid for the lead as he turned for home.

“Let’s see if Archwarrior can live up to the advance billing,” intoned track announcer Tom Durkin.

He did, taking command in midstretch and drawing clear to score by 3 ¼ lengths in a solid 1:10.07. It was a workmanlike, if not spectacular, performance that augured well for his future.

“Archwarrior is the type of horse who will really get good when the distances get longer,” Velazquez said. “He should run all day long.”