SARATOGA SPRINGS - Chalk up another one who fell to the "Graveyard of Champions."
Saratoga Race Course has long been known as the track where some of horse racing's greatest legends suffered their most surprising losses. Saturday, another superstar was defeated at the Spa, as Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo could only muster a late-closing third in a Travers Stakes won by the inexperienced Leading Change, who was making just his third career start.
After winning the Derby and Belmont with similar late runs, Golden Tempo lingered at the back of the pack early in the Travers in company with his familiar rival, Renegade.
But unlike during the Triple Crown season, on Saturday the speed horses were able to hang on at the front of the field. Frontrunner Napoleon Solo held the lead deep into the stretch until the Brad **** -trained Leading Change, who sat second throughout the race under jockey Manny Franco, made his final surge to win by a half-length.
"The pace was slow, and I thought that was gonna be to our detriment," said Golden Tempo's trainer, Cherie DeVaux. "The horses in front of us are definitely quality horses … it didn't work out for us today."
#saratoga #belmont #tempo
Saratoga Race Course has long been known as the track where some of horse racing's greatest legends suffered their most surprising losses. Saturday, another superstar was defeated at the Spa, as Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Golden Tempo could only muster a late-closing third in a Travers Stakes won by the inexperienced Leading Change, who was making just his third career start.
After winning the Derby and Belmont with similar late runs, Golden Tempo lingered at the back of the pack early in the Travers in company with his familiar rival, Renegade.
But unlike during the Triple Crown season, on Saturday the speed horses were able to hang on at the front of the field. Frontrunner Napoleon Solo held the lead deep into the stretch until the Brad **** -trained Leading Change, who sat second throughout the race under jockey Manny Franco, made his final surge to win by a half-length.
"The pace was slow, and I thought that was gonna be to our detriment," said Golden Tempo's trainer, Cherie DeVaux. "The horses in front of us are definitely quality horses … it didn't work out for us today."
#saratoga #belmont #tempo
14 days ago
