NYRA/Adam Coglianese
by Sarah Mace
Pagan, a 2-year-old gelded son of freshman sire Girolamo, put athleticism and determination on display when he won a New York-bred maiden special weight turf sprint at first asking at Saratoga on Monday. Neglected by bettors at odds of 9-1, the bay came from off the pace and adapted ably to a changing situation around him in late stretch to score the victory by a neck.
Settling in midpack between horses after the break under Jockey Luis Saez, Pagan stalked early leaders Ordinaire, favorite Stormin Stephen and Championofthenile in the early stages through a quarter mile in 22.41.
Advancing into third with three lengths left to make up midway around the far turn, Pagan angled out into the four path and set his sights on Stormin Stephen, who took over the lead at the head of the stretch.
In midstretch Stormin Stephen ducked out, but Pagan didn’t miss a beat and altered course to the inside. He then drove with determination between horses and got up to win by a neck over his erratic but tenacious rival in a final time of 1:03.59. Ordinaire finished third 2 1/4 lengths back. [VIDEO]
Trained by Dominick Schettino for My Purple Haze Stables, Joemar Racing Stables & Trond Smedshammer, Pagan posted two final works at Saratoga after shipping up from Belmont training in late July.
Pagan was bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds & Lakland Farm and is one of three winners out of Mula Mula, a placed daughter of Gone West. His second dam is multiple graded stakes winner Follow the Money, by Pine Bluff. The gelding sold as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale last year for $40,000 to Trond Smedshammer. He earned $43,800 from the debut maiden special weight score.
Pagan’s sire Girolamo, Darley’s Grade 1-winning son of A.P. Indy, began his stud career in 2012 at Becky Thomas and Dennis Narlinger’s Sequel Stallions New York. The young stallion currently stands at number five in the rankings of freshman sires with five winners.
