NYRA/Adam Coglianese
By Sarah Mace
Saythreehailmary’s (Repent), a 4-year-old homebred for Joseph Gioia’s Very Un Stable, has been knocking on the door in restricted stakes for some time. Her breakthrough first black type victory came at Aqueduct Racetrack on Saturday when she parlayed a stalking trip in the $100,000 Bay Ridge Stakes at 1 1/16 miles for older New York-bred fillies and mares into a victory under jockey Jose Ortiz.
The 9-2 fourth choice at post time, Saythreehailmary’s was looking to turn the tables on 2-1 favorite Sheriffa, to whom she finished second both in Belmont’s Critical Eye last spring and in the NYSS Staten Island division in her prior start on November 15. Other well-supported contenders in the eight-horse field included second choice Temper Mint Patty and third choice Flipcup, both multiple stakes winners.
Breaking from post four under Jose Ortiz, who had the call for the first time for the filly’s 21st career start, Saythreehailmary’s tucked in at the fence in fourth in what turned out to be something of a merry-go-round race until midway on the far turn. Carameaway led the field though early fractions of 23.63, 48.16 and 1:13.13 from her inside post, Sheriffa tracked in second and Temper Mint Patty raced in third off the rail more or less alongside Saythreehailmary’s.
The situation began to change rapidly with three furlongs to go.
Sheriffa challenged Carameaway for the lead midway around the far turn, took over at the head of the lane and opened up two lengths in upper stretch while Saythreehailmary’s advanced solidly into third and angled out into the three path for the stretch drive.
Saythreehailmary’s dug in, gained second midstretch and caught up with the Sheriffa a sixteenth out. Taking over in the final 70 yards, she inched off to a 1 1/4-length victory over her rival. Relative longshot Storied Lady rallied from last to get the show a half-length back, followed across the line by Star Grazing, Flipcup, Smitten by Gold, pacesetter Carameaway and Temper Mint Patty. After a mile in 1:39.17, the final time for 8 1/2 furlongs was 1:45.68. [VIDEO]
Winning trainer John Morrison said, “[Saythreehailmary’s] was coming into this race well and I knew she was going to run well and everything worked out. Jose gave her a perfect trip and I’m just happy about the results.”
Ortiz said that Morrison handicapped the race just right. “It worked out great. John told me the three horses [Carameaway, Sheriffa, and Temper Mint Patty] were going to be in front of me and I sat right behind the leaders. By the three-eighths pole, I decided to follow Sheriffa. [Saythreehailmary’s] was the better horse. It worked out great, the outside horse stumbled a little bit and I had the opportunity to come out early so when I went into the clear, she responded very well. By the three-sixteenths, I knew I was going to catch her [Sheriffa].”
Ortiz’s first-hand knowledge of Sheriffa, whom he had ridden to victory in the Critical Eye, made him aware of what a formidable foe he was facing. “Sheriffa’s a very good horse and they do a great job in the [Rice] barn. I was worried a little bit. Sheriffa, I’ve ridden her before and this was the first time riding this filly.” He added, “I knew Sheriffa was going to be there and she was going to respond, and she did, but my horse was well-trained and 100 percent today.”
As to the future Morrison said, “We’ll see how she comes out of this before we decide where to go next.” He added, “She’s honest, she gives you everything she’s got every time.”
Saythreehailmary’s is one of five winners from five starters and the second stakes winner out of Just Call Me Angel, a winning daughter of Devil’s Bag who was purchased by Gioia for $16,000 at the 2005 OBS winter mixed sale. Just Call Me Angel’s first foal Afleet Alexandra (Northern Afleet) won the 2008 New York Oaks at Finger Lakes and earned over $250,000. The mare currently has an unnamed juvenile filly by Dublin, a yearling filly by Courageous Cat and a weanling colt by Posse.
Consistent and hard-trying, Saythreehailmary’s has compiled a career record of five wins, five seconds and four thirds from 21 starts and has earned $377,600 for her connections.
