Fools Gold Strikes Clear In Waya

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Wise Racing’s Fools Gold struck to the front as she passed through the far turn for the second time and kicked away in the stretch to win Sunday’s $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes (G3) at Saratoga.

Breaking from post 2 under Javier Castellano at 3/1 odds, Fools Gold initially held the lead but soon allowed a keen Sky Full of Stars to set the pace. Sky Full of Stars opened up a monstrous early lead while posting fractions of :24.60, :49.87, 1:15.47, and 1:40.45 for the opening mile.

Ranging up along the outside of Sky Full of Stars as they headed into the far turn, Fools Gold met the leader’s throat latch and hit the top of the stretch with a slim advantage. Taking command clearly at the 1/8 pole, Fools Gold unleashed a kick too strong to catch, winning by a comfortable 3/4 of a length at the wire. The Chad Brown trainee completed the 1 1/2-mile event over the firm inner turf course in 2:27.21.

“The filly put up a great performance going a mile and 1/2 last time at Belmont (Park in the River Memories Stakes, where she finished second),” Castellano said. “I think the mile and 1/2 adjustment helped her out today. Mr. Brown did a great job with the horse, bringing her to Saratoga to win the race.”

Get Explicit rallied down the middle of the lane to take second by a neck over the 6/5 favorite Santa Monica, who in turn necked out Gentle Ruler for third. Sky Full of Stars faded to fifth, outfinishing only an empty Theodora B. to complete the order of finish.

Fools Gold’s win was her first at the stakes level in her fifth attempt, having finished second or third in each of her previous three tries. The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro improved her career mark to 12-4-3-3 with $271,020 earned.

“She really ran great,” Brown said. “She’s been an improving horse. I’m really proud of the way she’s come along. I told Javier, if she breaks out of there good, we’re happy to go to the lead. I didn’t see a lot of speed in the race, but if somebody was fully intent on making the fractions, just to lay second; that’s what he did. He decided to back off when (Sky Full of Stars) took the initiative, and he just timed it perfectly.”

Fools Gold returned $8.40 to win and $5.20 to place, while Get Explicit brought back $16.80 to place. There was no show betting.