SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The highly-regarded Chestertown earned his first victory since breaking his maiden in December at Aqueduct when outdueling a game City Man to take the Albany for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles over the main track.
Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the gray son of Tapit out of Grade 1 winner Artemis Agrotera tracked the field in fourth as More Graytful and Sky of Hook dueled through an opening 1/4-mile in 24.29 and 1/2 in 48.45.
Around the far turn, Chestertown inched his way up to the front under Jose Ortiz, who began asking for more from his charge approaching the 1/4 pole.
At the top of the stretch, Chestertown confronted More Graytful, who retreated around the 3/16 pole. Stakes winner City Man unleased a late bid to the outside past the 1/8 pole, but Chestertown dug in for the 3/4-length victory in a final time of 1:49.37.
“When he wanted to go around the 3/8 pole, he wanted to go by himself, but I didn’t want to let him go,” said Ortiz. “I had the favorite (City Man) inside of me, and the guy in front, I knew I got him. I took it away from him at that point.”
Returning $6.10, Chestertown nearly doubled his lifetime earnings to $165,990. He was bred by Chester and Mary Broman, who own Chestertown in partnership with West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, Siena Farm and Robert Masiello.
“It took him a while to get going, but when he felt that horse outside of him coming, he rebroke and made another run,” Ortiz said. “I think he’s learning still. He’s got a lot of races under his belt, but he’s a typical Tapit. He will be better as a 4-year-old. He’s figured it out now with the blinkers on. I think he’s coming along really nicely.”
