Built Secures First Graded Stakes Victory at Saratoga
In a compelling display of speed and strategy, the horse Built, skillfully guided by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., secured his inaugural graded stakes triumph at Saratoga. This noteworthy win occurred in the Grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes, a prestigious event offering a $400,000 prize. The four-year-old colt, representing Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, outpaced a competitive field of six seasoned horses over a challenging six-furlong sprint on a fast track, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
The race unfolded with Built, breaking from an outside position, strategically shadowing the early leaders. The initial stages saw Damon's Mound setting a brisk pace, recording fractions of 22.69 and 45.13 seconds. Built maintained a close second, poised for his move. As the race entered the turn, Ortiz Jr. expertly guided Built to the four path, seizing the lead by the five-furlong mark, which he crossed in an impressive 56.69 seconds. From that point, Built extended his advantage, finishing with a commanding 2 1/2-length lead and completing the race in 1:09.14.
The victory was particularly meaningful as it coincided with trainer Wayne Catalano's 70th birthday, adding a celebratory note to Built’s first graded stakes success after five previous attempts. The win paid out $4.40 for a win bet, $2.68 for place, and $2.10 for show. Hymn, under Ricardo Santana Jr., rallied from fourth to secure second place, returning $3.98 for place and $2.34 for show. Damon's Mound held on for third, with a show payout of $2.10. Other contenders included T Kraft, Cat On Time, and Nutella Fella. Notably, jockey Flavien Prat, who rode T Kraft, had been unseated in an earlier race but was reported to be unharmed.
Built's performance in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes follows a second-place finish in the Bango (G3) on June 27 at Churchill Downs, where he was the 8-5 favorite. That race, run on a sloppy track over 6 1/2 furlongs, saw him narrowly beaten by Harrodsburg. Sired by Hard Spun and out of the Curlin mare Sea Garden, Built now boasts a career record of 6 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds from 14 starts, with a particularly strong record of 6 wins, 0 seconds, and 3 thirds from 10 starts on fast tracks, underscoring his preference for such conditions.
This triumph at Saratoga highlights Built’s consistent improvement and his ability to perform at a high level in competitive graded stakes races. His strong finish and tactical running style suggest a promising future for the colt in elite sprint competitions, solidifying his status as a formidable contender in the racing circuit.