NO KID- DING
Hangover Kid gets the biggest win of his career in the West Point Stakes at Saratoga Race Course,
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Prior to last summer, Hangover Kid had carved out a respectable career competing mostly in allowance races against his fellow New York- breds. After several solid performances in open company, his connections threw him into the deep end last month in the Grade 1 United Nations Stakes, where he ran a more than respectable third at 47-1.
On Thursday, Hangover Kid was back in against his fellow statebreds in the $150,000 West Point Stakes. Perhaps toughened up by his recent schedule, the 5-yearold son of Lemon Drop Kid responded with the biggest victory of his career, running by the rest of the field in the stretch to win New York’s premier turf race for statebreds by a length.
“He was a little wide on the first turn, but once he got over on the backside, he was fine,” said winning trainer Jason Servis. “It’s really gratifying to have a homebred like that. I had some [ recent] problems with him coughing, but we decided to go with it — and I’m glad we did. I let him gallop a little bit this morning, and I didn’t hear any coughing.”
Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was content to let Hangover Kid sit well off the early pace. Mr. Vegas surrendered the lead on the backstretch to Kharafa, and that one stayed up through a half in a moderate 48.93 and threequarters in 1:13.17.
Turning for home, Hangover Kid was still ninth and last, but appeared to have a clear path ahead of him through the stretch. Meanwhile, Kharafa was hanging tough on the lead, with pressure from Hear the Footsteps and 2-1 favorite ( and defending champ) Lubash. Those three looked like they might cross under the wire together, but Hangover Kid had them all measured, sweeping by in the last 50 yards to earn his first stakes win.
“I took a little chance and went wide on the first turn, and then I sat,” said Ortiz, who had only ridden Hangover Kid once before. “I got relaxed on the backstretch and saved some ground. When I came on the turn, I had a lot of horse. There was a lot of traffic on the inside so I came outside, and he went by (the other horses).”
Hear the Footsteps nosed out Kharafa for the place, with Lubash another half-length back in fourth. Jonrah, Abilio, Mr. Vegas, Street Game and Barrel of Love completed the order of finish.
Hangover Kid was bred in New York by Steve Taglienti and races for his family’s Four Tags Stable. With the West Point win, Hangover Kid sports a 6-4-3 record from 18 starts and earnings of $404,678.
The winner paid $13.80 as the 5- 1 third choice. The Hangover Kid/ Hear the Footsteps (13-1) exacta was good for a healthy $148.50.