Sneaky Mrs. Sippy Takes Glens Falls in American Debut

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Andrew Stone’s homebred Mrs. Sippy snuck through and split foes at the top of the stretch before running off to win Saturday’s $250,000 Glens Falls Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.

Breaking from post 5 under Joel Rosario at 6/1 odds, Mrs. Sippy took back and watched as Lady Montdore posted uncontested fractions of :25.13, :49.80, 1:15.13, and 1:38.66 for the opening mile. 

After making a failed rail bid heading into the far turn for the second time, Mrs. Sippy took back and waited until she had completed the corner before tipping out to split between the pacesetter and the 8/5 favorite Santa Monica. Given clear running room, Mrs. Sippy took off and held sway before crossing 3/4 of a length ahead of her stablemate Empressof the Nile. The fore-running Graham Motion trainee completed the 1 3/8-mile event over the firm inner turf course in a final time of 2:13.62.

“Every time I looked away at my other filly Empressof the Nile, Joel had crept up a couple of spots,” Motion said. “It was an impressive performance and an impressive ride by Joel. She did everything right. I’ll have to look for bigger fish because I thought her win today was very nice.”

Empressof the Nile was 2 1/2 lengths clear of Santa Monica, who couldn’t find the necessary kick to finish the job as the bettors’ choice. Get Explicit took fourth over Fools Gold, while behind them came a spent Lady Montdore and a non-threatening Violet Blue to complete the order of finish. Indy Union was a main track only entry. Night of England was scratched.

Mrs. Sippy’s win came in her stateside debut and was her first since September at Longchamp. The Kentucky-bred 4-year-old daughter of Blame, whose career had been spent running overseas, now sports a record of 10-3-2-0 with $222,706 earned.

“She broke a little bit slow, and then after that, it was all her,” Rosario said. “It looked like she just wanted to follow somebody the whole time. I just thought that’s the way she’s probably used to running in Europe. She did well for her first time here. Graham just told me to be comfortable where you are and take it from there. I knew I had to wait a little bit going into the turn, but she was able to pick up again and get going kicking on to the wire.”

Mrs. Sippy returned $14.60 to win, $7.50 to place, and $4.10 to show. Empressof the Nile brought back $8.60 to place and $4.50 to show, while Santa Monica paid $2.60 to show.