Power Squeeze was led eight times down the homestretch, avoided several collisions on the inside and beat favorite Candied by a head in the $600,000 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.
Strong language. Janet Napolitano/NYRA Photo
Power Squeeze earned coach Delgado a grade of 1 for the first time
Power Squeeze, ridden by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, went 6-1 in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies for $14.80 on a $2 win. It was trainer Jorge Delgado’s first Grade 1 victory, according to Equibase.
Without top mare Thorpedo Anna, Power Squeeze skipped that top race and instead took on the boys in the Travers Stakes (G1) next week (August 24), winning for the fifth time in seven starts this year.
Her only losses came in races against Thorpedo Anna – third in the Acorn (G1) and sixth in her sixth attempt in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).
“An absolutely outstanding ride from Javier. He judged the race perfectly. He told me he felt the pace was going to be a little too fast, but he wanted to keep her close to the pace and close enough to make a run because there’s enough talent in the race,” Delgado said. “On the home stretch he told me he couldn’t see much, but he could see number seven (Candied) and he thought he was in a good position. He was getting closer and closer and he knows the mare fights a lot – like she did at Delaware, but this time from the outside. When she nods her head, she knows how to win. She wanted to win. She’s so determined to win.”
Chatalas, ridden by Frankie Dettori, set the pace for the first mile but the filly lost momentum in the home straight, hampering Candied and several others and falling to sixth place.
Meanwhile, Power Squeeze stayed out of the fray, but Manny Franco caught up with Candied and the two had another close duel on the home straight in an important race at Spa.
“That’s what I like to do. Everything was perfect the way she did it,” Castellano said after his third Alabama win. “Everything worked out great. The pace was great, the tempo was high, she came from behind and fought to the end.”
Todd Pletcher, who trains Candied, said: “It was a good effort. Manny said when the two (Chatalas) came out, they all kind of bumped into each other and took him out of rhythm a little bit. She got her momentum back later and had the edge before and after the finish, but not at the finish. Tough to beat. She ran great.”
Just Basking finished third, followed by Miss Justify, Intricate, Chatalas, Neon Icon and America’s Vow.
The winning time for the 1 ¼ miles was 2:04.35 on a fast main course.
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