Americanrevolution blasts New York Derby field
[1]Luis Saez and Americanrevolution dominated Monday’s New York Derby. SV Photography.
By Tom Law
Fasig-Tipton rolled out the catalog for its Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale Monday morning and by the afternoon the cover needed an update after 2018 graduate Americanrevolution stormed to victory in the $150,000 New York Derby at Finger Lakes.
The seventh most expensive horse sold at that year’s Saratoga New York-bred sale on a bid of $275,000 from China Horse Club and Maverick Racing, American Revolution won the New York Derby less than a month after breaking his maiden going 6 furlongs at Belmont Park. The son of Constitution won the 1 1/16-mile New York Derby by 7 1/4 lengths under Luis Saez, who made the trip west from Saratoga Race Course for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner WinStar Farm.
The 3-5 favorite in the field of six – reduced with the scratches of Devious Mo and Here’s Waldo – Americanrevolution improved to 2-for-3 with the victory. He finished fourth, behind eventual Grade 1 winner Mandaloun and stakes-placed three-time winner Bob’s Edge, in his debut against open company last October at Keeneland.
Saez kept Americanrevolution in third early while John Davila Jr. took an aggressive approach aboard Purple Hearted, leading the field through strong early splits of :23.12 and :46.72 for the opening half-mile. Lobsta, third last time out in the Mike Lee Stakes for trainer Gary Sciacca, tracked in second around the first turn and into the backstretch.
[2]Americanrevolution, a son of Constitution bred by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding, wins second straight Monday at Finger Lakes. SV Photography
Purple Hearted continued to lead past 6 furlongs in 1:11.75, left Lobsta on the far turn but couldn’t hold off Americanrevolution, who went by in a flash turning for home. Saez shook the reins, tapped the chestnut colt a few times left handed and hand rode to the wire for the clear win. Purple Heart held second, 5 ¾ lengths ahead of Lobsta with longshot Jaa Mode fourth. Americanrevolution won in 1:45.19
Bred by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding and foaled at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater, Americanrevolution is the second foal out of the winning Super Saver mare Polly Freeze. Out of the Strike the Gold mare Elusive Gold, Polly Freeze is a half-sister to Korean champion Cheongdam Dokki, graded stakes winner and $493,367-earner Gouldings Green and stakes winner Filare L’Oro, the dam of multiple graded stakes winner Silver Dust and Grade 3 winner Forza Di Oro.
Hertrich bought Polly Freeze in foal to Wicked Strong for $75,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. She’d previously sold as a yearling for $155,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September sale. Her first foal, the Kentucky-bred Wicked Strong filly Text Dont Call, had made three starts in Southern California when Americanrevolution went through the Saratoga sales ring, placing twice. She eventually won two of 16 starts and earned $42,109.
Polly Freeze’s third foal, the New York-bred Hard Spun colt named Bold Journey, sold for $80,000 to McMahon & Hill Bloodstock, agent, at this year’s OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale. Polly Freeze is also the dam of a Kentucky-bred yearling filly by Collected and was bred to Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Vino Rosso last year.
- [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Americanrevolution1.jpg
- [Image]: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Americanrevolution2.jpg
Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2021/07/19/americanrevolution-blasts-new-york-derby-field/
[1]Fasig-Tipton catalogued 308 entries for its New York-Bred Yearlings Sale, scheduled for Sunday and Monday, Aug. 15 and 16, in the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs.