SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga was supposed to be a straightforward prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Instead, it turned into a race defined as much by chaos at the start as by Antiquarian’s breakthrough victory.
Just strides into the 1 1/4-mile test, Phileas Fogg, breaking from post 7, veered sharply inward under Kendrick Carmouche. The sudden move triggered a chain reaction: Contrary Thinking shied, bumped White Abarrio, who in turn knocked into Mindframe, unseating jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Ortiz hit the track hard as the field rushed into the first turn, while Mindframe continued on riderless before being collared by an outrider. Ortiz was transported to Albany Medical Center for evaluation of his ribs and wrist, though trainer Todd Pletcher said initial reports suggested the horse returned unharmed.
“Mixed emotions. You hate to see anything like that happen but at the same time I want Antiquarian to get his due,” Pletcher said. “Centennial – that’s a huge win for them, so I’m happy for them.”
Riders Adjust on the Fly
The incident forced the rest of the field to scramble. Favorite Sierra Leone and jockey Flavien Prat had to alter course to avoid Ortiz on the track, leaving the Whitney winner farther back than planned. Velazquez, aboard Antiquarian, kept his mount calm in fourth behind a pace set by Contrary Thinking, who clicked off a :23.00 opening quarter and :46.96 half.
“I didn’t know what happened,” Velazquez said. “I saw Edgard try to put his feet back in the irons. I had my mind made up that I wanted to take my horse back and tried to give him a break the first part of the race. That’s the way it worked out.”
Antiquarian Seizes the Moment
As the field regrouped on the far turn, Phileas Fogg briefly took over, but Antiquarian loomed. Velazquez angled outside and surged past in the final sixteenth, holding off Sierra Leone’s late rally to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 2:02.16.
Phileas Fogg crossed the line third but was disqualified and placed last for causing the chain-reaction spill. Highland Falls was moved up to third, with White Abarrio fourth.
Fallout and Relief
Trainer Chad Brown, who saddled Sierra Leone, focused more on Ortiz than his runner’s troubled trip.
“I hope Irad is OK. That’s my main concern,” said Brown. “As far as the race goes, we lost a considerable amount of ground. He had to use him to try and re-gain where he should have been and it certainly played a role in the finish. That’s horse racing and it’s just unfortunate on a big day – both for my horse, for Mindframe, who was poised for a big effort; and most importantly for Irad, who we just hope can escape from this without any injuries.”
For Centennial Farms, however, the victory was historic. Antiquarian gave them their second Jockey Club Gold Cup, following Colonial Affair in 1994.
“To have this a second time that Centennial has won this prestigious trophy is really, really exciting and special,” Little, Jr. said. “In one way, people were cheering for Sierra Leone to win the Whitney and the Jockey Club, but our horse Colonial Affair was the last to do it. We keep that in the record books, and it’s just been a great go. Team Todd, all the way.”
Looking Ahead
Antiquarian, a son of Preservationist, earned a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He improved his record to 4 wins in 9 starts, pushing his career earnings past $1 million.
But the day will be remembered less for his résumé boost than for the frightening moments at the start.
“It appears as though he pulled up fine. He kind of slowed down and the outriders looked like they caught him safely. Our initial inspections back here are fine,” Pletcher said. “We’ll obviously go over him very closely at the barn like we always do. Luckily, I think he’s OK.”
As for Mindframe’s racing future, Pletcher said it is too early to know when and where the colt will run next, or how the incident may affect his Breeders’ Cup plans.
