NYRA/Adam Coglianese
by Sarah Mace
After having to wait out a stewards’ inquiry into the stretch run of the second race at Saratoga on opening day, the connections of Lemon Liqueur (Exchange Rate), a 2-year-old homebred for Len Riggio’s My Meadowview Farm, were finally able to lead the dark bay filly into the Saratoga winner’s circle to celebrate a strong debut victory in a 5 1/2-furlong dash for New York-bred juvenile fillies.
Breaking from post one (of ten) under Jose Ortiz as the 2-1 favorite, Lemon Liqueur settled in at the fence two lengths off the pace set by Freud firster Freudsalm, who clocked sharp early fractions of 22.86 and 47.27.
Saving ground through far turn, Lemon Liqueur shifted out at the top of the stretch and, after bumping twice lightly with Here Comes Rosie (7-1), shifted into high gear with a furlong to go. Gaining command in the final sixteenth, Lemon Liqueur drew off to secure the victory by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:06.23. Here Comes Rosie (Congaree) finished second, while pacesetter Freudsalm (Freud) stayed on for third. [VIDEO]
Trainer Rick Violette he chose Saratoga opening day to unveil the filly because “The timing was right and this was the right place.”
Awaiting the result of the inquiry
Violette admits to experiencing a few nerves about the outcome of the inquiry. “It looked like a bump. I don’t even think they made contact, but they were taking a long time to look at it.” Violette then quipped, “I have to go up and talk to Larry [Collmus]: it sounded like [the outcome] was going to be different: there was a pregnant pause when he said, ‘the Stewards have announced they will . . . not make any changes.’”
Violette said he will consider Lemon Liqueur for the $200,000 Seeking the Ante Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on August 28. She is one of several juvenile homebreds in Violette’s care from My Meadowview Farm, which owns and bred New York-bred multiple graded stakes winner Samraat ($883,300). Violette said, “She’s a nice filly, but we might have a couple other bullets for Mr. Riggio.”
Foaled on March 13, 2013 at the Riggios’ farm in Water Mill, Lemon Liqueur is the first winner for her dam Limoncella, a multiple stakes-placed Kentucky-bred daughter of Lemon Drop Kid purchased by My Meadowview for $150,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fasig-Tipton Kentucky, November Selected Mixed Sale. The mare currently has a yearling colt by Afleet Alex and no foal this year.
