HORSE RACING Another Miracle becomes second stakes winner for Pharoah
SARATOGA SPRINGS >> Many racing fans have probably been hoping American Pharoah, whose first foals are 2-year-olds this year, would come up with a big horse in his initial crop. Before Thursday, he’d had two winners from 10 horses to race at Saratoga, including Another Miracle, who broke his maiden here in his second start on July 24.
It’s too early to know for sure, but Another Miracle (the 5-2 second choice) looked pretty strong running back in Thursday’s $100,000 Skidmore Stakes. The Gary Contessa trainee had dropped well back on the turn after contesting the early pace, but got going again in the stretch, roaring from off the pace to win by 1 ¾ lengths going away.
“My horse broke good, as always,” said winning rider Manny Franco. “Once I saw [Montauk Daddy] wanted to go, I just let him go. I knew I had horse all the way around. I just waited for the right moment to move. He’s talented. He can run on both surfaces.”
Another Miracle had a short lead early but offered no resistance when favored Montauk Daddy (4-5) blew by approaching the turn. The latter had a three-length advantage straightening out, but Another Miracle – given a target to run at – had Montauk Daddy measured, making up ground steadily and collaring him at the sixteenth pole before cruising on to victory.
The winning time for 5½ furlongs on “firm” turf was 1:01.61. Proven Strategies nailed Montauk Daddy in the last jump for the place. Memorable, Now Is, Venerate, Frosted Rose and River Hawk followed in that order.
“He’s little, but he’s got a big heart in that little body,” said Contessa. “It probably takes up the most space in his body. He’s just a neat horse. It was very professional for him to let [Montauk Daddy] go, and then come back and get him.”
Another Miracle, who races for Leonard C. Green and Jonathan Green, is out of the stakes-winning Medaglia d’Oro mare Retraceable. With the Skidmore win, his record stands at 2-1-0 from three starts, with a bankroll of $120,500.