NYRA/Adam Coglianese
By Sarah Mace
Alpha Delta Stables’ undefeated sophomore filly Ancient Secret (Kantharos) had been climbing the class ladder and meeting increased distance demands with every one of her first three career starts. On the opening day of the storied Saratoga race meet, she upped the ante yet again, acing her first graded try and first race around two turns, the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake George at 1 1/6 miles for 3-year-old fillies on the Mellon turf.
A three-length winner right out of the box at Belmont last October 24 going six furlongs on turf in state-bred company, she returned to the races on May 14 firing on all cylinders. She won a first-level state-bred allowance at seven furlongs by more than four lengths, and four weeks later annexed the open Wild Applause Stakes, a one-turn mile, winning by a head. In all three starts, she successfully came from off the pace.
Bet down to 2-1 favoritism by post time in the Lake George under regular rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., the Chad Brown trainee settled in fourth three lengths off the lead and saved ground around the clubhouse turn, while Sky My Sky set the pace, clocking a first half in 48.03, pushed along a length back by Gone Away.
Moving out into the two path, and gaining a position early in the far turn, Ancient Secret moved out into the three path midway around the bend and the top of the stretch set her sights on the front two to her inside.
She overhauled the leaders within the final furlong and began to edge away. She then had enough left in the tank to spurt clear and comfortably hold off stablemate Elysea’s World, who was closing with intent. Ancient Secret scored the victory by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:40.35. Outsider Art finished a length back in third. [VIDEO]
NYRA/Chelsea Durand
Trainer Chad Brown said, “This filly ran really well. She’s a remarkable horse. She always trained like a really quality animal, we just gave her little incremental goals and she’s hit them all. I wasn’t quite sure about the two turns, I know she’s a top class horse but I was curious to see what she was going to do when the gates opened and she passed the test.”
Bred by Lambholm and foaled at Cedar Ridge Farm in Pine Plains, Ancient Secret is the first winner and first registered New York-bred out of Privacy. The filly sold on the opening day of the 2015 OBS spring sale to Steven Young, agent on behalf of John Clay’s Alpha Delta Stable, for $225,000.
Privacy, a winning Florida-bred mare by Notebook, also bred by Lambholm, is a half-sister to stakes winner Admonition. Her 2014 foal by Posse, named Hiding, is also a registered New York-bred.
From her four victories Ancient Secret has earned $259,200.
