NYRA/Chelsea Durand
By Sarah Mace
Golconda Stables’ March X Press (Shangai Bobby) captured Saratoga’s attention just two weeks ago in her New York-bred maiden special weight debut going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf: after missing the break and running at the rear for most of the race, she absolutely roared home to post a visually impressive last-to-first victory.
In Saratoga’s open Bolton Landing Stakes at the same trip on Wednesday, she arguably took the drama to another level. Rallying from seven lengths off the pace and landing in heavy traffic midstretch, she somehow found a seam, extricated herself and, again, shot past the frontrunners to get the win.
Trainer Todd Pletcher was confident his filly was ready to perform on just two weeks’ rest. “First of all, she came out of the race really well,” said Pletcher. “On that day, she only ran like the last three-sixteenths of a mile, so we just wanted to monitor how she came out of the race, and she came out of it well. There are not too many opportunities left like this, so she gave us the indication that she was ready to run back, and we are glad we did.”
Bet down to narrow favoritism (2.40-1), March X Press again got out of the gate last, then settled in sixth (of seven), where, seven lengths back, she chased pacesetter Fairyland, who clocked an opening quarter in 21.79.
Rounding the far turn in the two path, the dark bay filly advanced, spun out three wide into the lane, but still had five fillies to pass.
Mired in traffic in midstretch and forced to check hard, she and her pilot, Irad Ortiz, Jr. finally found a seam. Given a clear path, March X Press motored by the rest of the field to win by a half-length in the final jumps.
Runner up Fairyland finished 1 3/4 lengths clear of the winner’s uncoupled stablemate Sugar Queen in third, followed by Life Time Citizen, Buy Sell Hold, Sly Beauty and Madame X. The time for 5 1/2 furlongs over the firm Mellon turf course was 1:01.69. [VIDEO REPLAY]
NYRA/Adam Coglianese
Ortiz, Jr., said, “I went through a tight hole around the three-sixteenths pole, but she’s got a lot of heart. She made it through, and I think that’s the point where we won the race. I mean when I made it through the hole I knew I was going to win. There wasn’t a lot of race left and I saw the horse in front of me was getting tired. I think when Javier [Castellano, aboard Sly Beauty] hit his filly she lugged in a little bit on him and I was [that] much more sure that I could go for it. I went for it and he corrected, but when he corrected I was already there. It was good that I had a lot of horse underneath me.”
“There was a moment there where things got a little crowded and she showed a lot of bravery on her second start to push her way through there,” said Todd Pletcher. “She has an explosive turn of foot in that last part. She had to push her way through a little bit, and for a lightly raced filly to do that it is impressive.”
Both trainer and jockey are already thinking about March X Press’ next start. Pletcher said, “I think maybe something like the [Grade 1] Natalma [on September 17 at Woodbine] going a one-turn mile is something that might make sense for her.”
Said Ortiz, “Hopefully we can go a little further next time. You can only hope. Hopefully, she will stretch out and we can have more fun with her. She’s a good filly for a New York-bred. She’s got a lot of options. Hopefully she will stay sound and go a little longer.”
Bred by Pine Ridge Stables and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, March X Press is the fourth foal out of Indian Rush, a Kentucky-bred stakes-placed turf runner who earned just shy of $100,000. Her first foal, Harlan’s Honor, won the 2008 Colleen Stakes at Monmouth and placed twice more in black type contests, ultimately bringing $300,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November sale in foal to Liam’s Map. Indian Rush foaled a Tiznow colt this year and was bred to Honor Code in the spring.
Golconda Stables purchased March X Press for $90,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September yearling sale. From her two Saratoga victories, she has earned $103,800.
