Caress at Saratoga Race Course Ends in Thrilling Victory for Dontlookbackatall

Despite his favorite horse falling ill and⁤ his jockey ‌also‍ succumbing to sickness, ⁣Clement managed to secure a⁤ win with his horse Dontlookbackatall, ridden ​by replacement jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. — a five-time Eclipse Award winner.

Dontlookbackatall clinched a thrilling victory in the ⁣Caress by ⁣a neck over Danse Macabre​ on the Mellon Turf Course.

“I never had any doubts,” Clement said, ​chuckling. “It was never in question.”

Earlier, Clement had to scratch 8-5 morning-line favorite ⁤Roses for Debra due⁤ to‍ a fever and find a replacement ⁣jockey for Dontlookbackatall after Joel Rosario had to withdraw from all of his mounts on the ⁢card due to‌ illness.

Following the race, Clement praised Ortiz⁣ for his calmness and composure.

Despite Future Is Now leading for most of the race, a surge​ of horses⁣ from behind down the​ stretch, including Dontlookbackatall, changed ⁢the game. Dontlookbackatall managed to outperform Danse Macabre by a neck, with Future Is Now finishing another neck back⁢ in third.

“Irad did a fantastic ‌job.‍ He kept⁤ her stalking, always looking for the perfect spot. He had plenty of horse left,” Clement said, while watching the replay on⁤ the⁤ infield videoboard.

“Most⁤ jockeys would’ve moved earlier, but he waited patiently. ⁢It was an extraordinary ride.”

Ortiz was available because he had ‌been scheduled to ride‍ Roses for Debra. However, he was ⁢familiar with Dontlookbackatall, having ridden her in her last two starts.

“I arrived here early this morning to find my filly scratched — it ⁢was disappointing — but I picked up the mount for Mr. Clement and it worked out perfectly. We ended up winning.”

Clement mentioned that Roses for Debra was still recovering from a‍ cough, but should be back soon.

In the meantime, her ‌stablemate Dontlookbackatall has been putting together ⁢an impressive record.

“Her last two races ⁣were good, she’s been improving and her numbers are good,” Clement said. “Today was her best race ‍ever, so let’s enjoy this. She’s won three stakes in a row and is clearly very talented.

JEFFERSON STREET AMSTERDAM FAVORITE

If Jefferson Street can replicate his allowance win on⁣ June 7 at Saratoga, he’ll be a formidable‍ contender ‍in the Grade II Amsterdam on Friday.

Running 6 1/2 furlongs, as the Amsterdam field will be, Jefferson Street won by eight lengths and‍ posted a 102 Beyer Speed Figure, the ‍only triple-digit number produced by⁤ anyone in the⁣ Amsterdam.

“He’s maintained his form pretty well, I just hope he ⁤runs as well as he⁤ did last time,” ⁣trainer Bill Mott told the New York Racing Association. “They get stronger as they go along, and he’s slowly worked his way to that.”

Only two of the five horses in the Amsterdam field have stakes experience, and only the Steve Asmussen-trained Valentine Candy ‍has run in a graded stakes.

Asmussen has won the Amsterdam six times, including three straight from 2020-22.

Valentine Candy has‍ by far the most experience in the field, with 10 starts, compared to a total of 12 combined for the other four horses in the‍ field.

Donegal Momentum and Pure Force have each raced‍ just twice, and World⁢ Record has raced three times.

“This​ is a big step⁢ up in class,” said Tom Morley, Donegal Momentum’s trainer. “From what I’m gauging, it is a very contentious ⁤field of unexposed 3-year-old colts who are trying ⁤to make a splash ⁤on the scene. I’m looking forward to it.”

WHITNEY NOMINEES

A total of 18 horses have been nominated to ‌the $1 million Whitney, including National Treasure, who won the Grade I Met Mile at Saratoga on June ‌8 and ⁣has been ranked No. 1​ on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association weekly poll for much of the season.

With the Met Mile win, National Treasure qualified for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Next Saturday’s Whitney is a “Win and You’re ⁢In” qualifier for the BC Classic.

National Treasure finished second by a nose to ​Cody’s Wish in the BC Dirt Mile last year.