Adam Coglianese
In Aqueduct’s $75,000 Compelling Word stakes for state-breds on Thursday, elder statesman and seven-time stakes winner Saginaw led virtually from the bell, while 4-year-old stakes debuter Awesome Vision made a powerful last-to-first move with the result that the two hit the wire together in a dead heat for the victory.
In the starting gate the winning pair bookended the six-horse field, with David Jacobson and Drawing Away Stable’s Saginaw (Peruvian) drawn on the inside to go the two-turn mile, and West Point Thoroughbreds’ Awesome Vision (Awesome Again) drawn in post six for his seventh career start.
After the break 1.35-1 favorite Saginaw scooted up the rail to take charge under Junior Alvarado, rating on the front end and travelling two lengths ahead of Johannesburg Smile along the backstretch. After a half-mile in 47.25, Johannesburg Smile pressed harder in the far turn, but Saginaw opened up his advantage to three-plus lengths at the quarter pole. Awesome Vision (3-1), meanwhile, cruised in last as much as eight lengths from the front before beginning his bid in the far turn.
In late stretch the closers bore down – Johannesburg Smile at the rail and Awesome Vision, who really found an extra gear in the final furlong, in the three-path. Saginaw, who was all-out, held on grimly while Awesome Vision kept powering toward the front under Jose Ortiz until both noses hit the wire together for the dead heat. The winners completed the mile in a final time of 1:36.46. Johannesburg Smile finished a half-length back in third, followed by Mine Over Matter, Uncle T Seven and Socialsaul.
Seven-year-old Saginaw, who was claimed by Jacobson for $30,000 out of a 13 1/4-length romp at Aqueduct on March 8, 2012 has won 11 of his subsequent starts, including seven other stakes races: the Carr Heaven, Affirmed Success, John Morrissey, Promenade All, Fourstars Allstar, open Gravesend and, in his seasonal debut at Aqueduct on February 18, the Hollie Hughes. His career record now stands at 18-6-3 from 37 starts with earnings of $821,690.
Bred by Ted Taylor and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Saginaw is one of three winners out of Devilzene, a Kentucky-bred winner by Devil’s Bag purchased by Taylor for $21,000 as a yearling at the 2000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale. Saginaw’s full brother Sipsey is stakes placed ($97,194). Devilzene currently has a 3-year-old filly by Desert Warrior named Sinclair who has not started, and a 2013 filly by Desert Warrior.
Awesome Vision has compiled an impressive record of 5-0-0 from seven starts and earned $175,672. After breaking his maiden at second asking for trainer Mike Hushion going a mile over the Aqueduct inner in February 2012, the colt won a first-level state-bred allowance next out in March before being sidelined with an ankle chip. When he returned to the races in December under Tom Albertrani’s care, he shook off the rust with an off-the-board finish in a sprint before going on to win his next two going a route of ground, including a first-level open allowance.
Bred by Kaz Hill Farm and Adena Springs and foaled a Kaz Hill Farm in Middletown, Awesome Vision is the first foal out of Blind Canyon, a multiple stakes-placed Maryland-bred daughter of Valley Crossing ($225,960) purchased by Peter Kazamias at the 2009 Keeneland November sale for $25,000. Blind Canyon has a 3-year-old filly by Ghostzapper, who has not yet started, a 2-year-old colt by Here’s Zealous named Heretodaygonetmrow and a yearling filly by the same sire. She was bred last year to Bank Heist.
