NYRA/Chelsea Durand
by Sarah Mace
Trainer Charlton Baker was curious to find out whether Possessed, winner of the Times Square division of the New York Stallion Stakes on April 26 over the Aqueduct main oval, would also flash talent on turf. Ultimately, however, he had no grounds of complaint when the 3-year-old colt scored a resounding victory in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid division of the stakes series on Sunday after the race came off the grass and was contested over a harrowed main track listed as muddy.
Sired by perennial top-two New York sire Posse (Rockridge Stud) and bet down to 3-5 favoritism in the scratch-shortened field of four, Possessed was looking to rebound from a poor interim trip last out in the Mike Lee Stakes on May 25.
Possessed was content in the early stages of the seven-furlong tilt to let early leader Secured Position set opening splits of 22.82 and 46.49 while fending off an early challenges by Ex Ex Ex and Fenwick Hall.
After a three-wide trip through the far turn, Possessed, now in third, drew up alongside Secured Position and Fenwick Hall approaching the quarter pole. He did not take long to take charge in upper stretch. Kicking away, the colt drew off to a much-the-best 6 3/4-length victory. Secured Position finished second, 4 1/2 lengths clear of Fenwick Hall. Ex Ex Ex tired to fourth. After six furlongs in 1:11.56, the final time for seven panels was 1:25.17. [VIDEO]
NYRA/Adam Coglianese
Winning rider Jose Ortiz, who also piloted Possessed to his Times Square victory, said, “We broke well and the 6 horse [Ex Ex Ex] went to the front and then the 2 horse [Secured Position] went out there. I was in the perfect position and moving well on the outside. When I asked my horse to go, he responded very well. I think Charlie Baker’s done a tremendous job with this horse. He was 100% today and we got it done.”
Baker, who co-owns the colt in partnership with Dan Hayden said, “We got a little luck, the race came off the grass and there were a lot of scratches. We got a great ride and it was a great race.”
Baker added that a turf try for the colt was still on the cards. “I’m going to eventually try to run him on the turf; I think there’s another Stallion Series in Saratoga (the NYSS Cab Calloway division at one mile on August 10). Maybe we’ll try that spot, but we’ll definitely try the grass to see where he’s at.”
Possessed has collected three wins, three seconds and a third in nine career starts and earned $195,575. Bred by Grapestock, LLC and foaled at Vinery New York at Empire Stud in Hudson, the colt is the second black type winner out of Ibetyouwishyouknew (Mr. Greeley), whose first foal I Bet Toni Knows by Sunriver also won a division of the NYSS. Ibetyouwishyouknew currently has a yearling by Soaring Empire and was bred last year to Graydar.
