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.
Jon White’s Kentucky Derby 2025 Strikes and Picks | Blinkers Off 718 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Post Position Draw & Odds | Blinkers Off 717 The Racing Dudes go LIVE to cover the post draw… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Town Hall Forum | Blinkers Off 716 The Racing Dudes take one last look at the contenders… Read More
Keeneland Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 588 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Keeneland on Friday &… Read More
NHL and NBA Playoff PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 236 Aaron and Papa Dude give their picks for the upcoming… Read More
Jon White’s 2025 Kentucky Derby Strikes & Picks One of the big stories in 1999 was President Bill… Read More
Kentucky Derby Trends 2025 | Post Position Analysis Post position is important in every race, but the Kentucky Derby… Read More
Jon White’s Kentucky Derby 2025 Strikes and Picks | Blinkers Off 718 The Racing Dudes interview Jon White, former Santa Anita, Del… Read More
2025 Kentucky Derby Preview & FREE Picks | Who WINS the Run for the Roses? Aaron previews the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1) from Churchill Downs,… Read More
2025 Kentucky Oaks Preview & FREE Picks | Good Cheer Headlines Friday’s Main Event Aaron previews the 2025 Kentucky Oaks (G1) from Churchill Downs,… Read More