Movin' On Up Captures Caress Stakes in Thrilling Saratoga Finish
A Strategic Triumph: From Last to First in the Caress Stakes
Movin' On Up's Decisive Performance in the Caress Stakes
In a thrilling display of turf racing at Saratoga, Movin' On Up showcased remarkable tactical prowess to clinch the Grade 2, $250,000 Caress Stakes. The mare, guided by jockey Tyler Gaffalione and trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., patiently stalked the pace from the rear of the five-horse field. As the front-runners battled intensely, Movin' On Up conserved energy, ultimately unleashing a potent five-wide charge in the final stretch to secure a commanding 1 1/4-length victory.
The Race Dynamics: A Blazing Start and a Patient Ride
The 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for fillies and mares saw an electrifying start, with second-favorite Sunna and favorite In Our Time engaging in a fierce speed duel. They scorched through fractions of 20.87 seconds for the quarter-mile and 43.24 seconds for the half-mile, creating a significant gap from the rest of the contenders. Meanwhile, Movin' On Up, under Gaffalione's calm guidance, remained unhurried in last place, more than eight lengths adrift of the leading pair.
Unleashing the Final Surge: Movin' On Up's Explosive Finish
As the race progressed through the turn, In Our Time briefly gained a narrow advantage over Sunna, whose early exertions began to take their toll. This set the stage for Movin' On Up's breathtaking move. Angling five to six wide into the stretch, the mare found an extra gear, rapidly closing in on the leaders. She overtook In Our Time inside the sixteenth pole and steadily widened her lead, crossing the finish line in a final time of 1:01.04 on the firm Mellon turf. Movin' On Up returned impressive payouts to her backers.
The Podium Finishers and Race Aftermath
Zeitlos, who had tracked the leaders from third, made a mild bid in the stretch to secure second place. In Our Time, despite her valiant effort upfront, held on for third. Obstreperous finished fourth, while Sunna, having expended too much energy early, faded to last. Italian Soiree was scratched from the event. Movin' On Up, a 5-year-old daughter of Accelerate owned by Ken Ramsey, added a significant Grade 2 victory to her resume.
Trainer and Jockey Insights on the Victory
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. attributed the win to the favorable pace scenario, acknowledging that the early speed duel played directly into Movin' On Up's strategy. He praised Gaffalione's patient ride and the mare's inherent quality, noting her strong form from previous races. Gaffalione echoed these sentiments, highlighting the team's pre-race plan to be patient and allow Movin' On Up to settle into a rhythm before her powerful late acceleration. He expressed his immense gratitude to owner Ken Ramsey for his unwavering support throughout his career.
A Personal Triumph for Owner Ken Ramsey
For owner Ken Ramsey, the victory held particular significance. He revealed that this was his first visit to Saratoga since undergoing a kidney transplant, a procedure for which he holds a Guinness World Record for the oldest recipient at 88 years and 270 days. Ramsey proudly shared that Movin' On Up, whom he claimed for $35,000, has now become a Grade 2 stakes winner, a testament to her talent and the team's efforts. José Ortiz, aboard runner-up Zeitlos, conceded that while his horse ran well, the winner was simply superior on the day, acknowledging the fast early pace likely impacted his mount's closing ability.