Race Recaps Ballagh Rocks prevails in $85K Lure September 7, 2020 Credit: NYRA Race Recaps Ballagh Rocks prevails in $85K Lure September 7, 2020 By: Press Release email Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Donegal Racing and Madaket Stables’ Ballagh Rocks, confidently piloted by Junior Alvarado, stalked and pounced his way to victory in Closing Day Monday’s $85,000 Lure at Saratoga Race Course. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 7-year-old Stormy Atlantic bay was sent to post at 7/1 as the longest shot on the board in the 1 1/16-mile Mellon turf route for older horses without a graded stakes win this season. Ballagh Rocks settled in second position as Largent, under Luis Saez, marked out splits of 24.38 and 48.47 seconds on the firm turf, with Breaking the Rules and Olympico following their early foot down the backstretch. Largent continued to dictate terms into the final turn as Ballagh Rocks inched into contention with Olympico ranging up on the outside late in the turn. Ballagh Rocks angled off the inside in the stretch run and took command 3/16 from the finish and powered through the wire a 2 1/4-length winner under a strong hand ride in a final time of 1:40.23. Largent stayed on strong for second, a length to the better of Devamani. Rounding out the order of finish were 8/5 post-time favorite Breaking the Rules and Olympico. Rose’s Vision was scratched. The victory marked the fourth stakes win of the meet for Alvarado, who captured the Schuylerville (G3) with Dayoutoftheoffice; the Perfect Sting with Feel Glorious; and the Prioress (G2) aboard Frank’s Rockette. Alvarado said he followed Mott’s instructions to the letter. “Bill doesn’t give too many instructions, but he told me today that Luis was going to go so make sure to put the horse right at his hip and take it from there,” said Alvarado. “So, that’s what I did and I’m just glad I had enough horse left to run him down. He kicked on to the wire. “He was feeling pretty good today in the paddock,” added Alvarado. “He’s a happy horse, but today he was a little extra happy and he showed it in the race.” Mott said Ballagh Rocks scratched out of a recent start and he decided to supplement the horse to the Lure as the horse was training well since his last-out second, defeated just a nose, in an optional-claiming event on July 4 on the Belmont turf. “I had him in a two-other-than optional claimer and it came off the turf, so we scratched. He was doing good and I started looking at this race and I thought why not put him in here,” said Mott. “I just thought let’s give him a shot. They don’t give milk and they don’t lay eggs; you have to run.” Bred in Kentucky by Turner Breeders, Ballagh Rocks banked $46,750 in victory while improving his record to 24-7-5-5. He paid $17.
Kentucky Downs and Del Mar Picks & Previews | Blinkers Off 683 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for this weekend’s… Read More
Kentucky Downs Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 565 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
College Football Picks & NFL Tips | Dudes Who Bet Sports 205 Aaron & Papa Dude give their College Football picks for… Read More
Pacific Classic 2024 Picks and Rapid-Fire | Blinkers Off 682 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Saturday’s $1… Read More
Del Mar Pick 5 Preview | The Magic Mike Show 564 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
Kentucky Downs Picks | Turf Sprint Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint] Aaron previews the 2024 Turf Sprint Stakes (G2) at Kentucky… Read More
Kentucky Downs FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Kentucky Downs on September… Read More
Del Mar FREE Win Picks | September 7, 2024 Get our FREE win picks at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club… Read More
Kentucky Downs Exacta Picks & Plays | Turf Cup Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Turf] Dr. Miranda gives her exacta picks & plays from the… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, & Gulfstream Park for September 7, 2024 Let’s kick off another big day of horse racing with… Read More