Strong-closing Somebyay wins G3 Sanford

By Anthony Affrunti

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY. – Starlight Racing’s Sombeyay closed with a flourish to win the 104th running of the Grade 3, $150,000 Sanford for juveniles by a neck on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

The bay colt by Into Mischief benefitted by a patient and confident ride by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, while Bano Solo and Strike Silver, both winners in their only starts, battled strong on the front end amid fractions of 22.26 seconds for the opening quarter and the half-mile in 45.49. After the speedy duo clocked 57.64 at the five-eighths mark, Castellano received all he needed for the stretch run, completing six furlongs on the fast main track in 1:10.35.

“It was perfect. He broke good out of the gate and put me in the right position,” Castellano said. “Today, I didn’t want to be too far back. It worked out the way we wanted today. He’s a good come-from-behind horse. It was very satisfying.”

The Todd Pletcher-trained Sombeyay notched his second win in three career starts, building on a 6 ¼-length win in his debut on April 27 at Gulfstream Park before his runner-up effort in his stakes debut when he recovered to miss by three-quarters of a length to Our Braintrust in the Tremont on June 8 at Belmont Park.

“I thought he ran really well,” Pletcher said. “Showed a little more speed than I thought he would. Javier had to take a bit of a hold of him at one point, but when he took him out he finished up nicely. I think in these early 2-year-old races experience is huge. Having two starts compared to others with only one I think that helped today. I think it hurt him a little the last time when he stumbled, you could argue that it helped him today. ”

Off as the 5-2 favorite, Sombeyay paid $7.70 to win. He improved his career bankroll to $136,500.

Sombeyay’s impressive closing kick was enough to convince Pletcher to aim higher with his Kentucky-bred in his next start, naming the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful on September 3 as a possible start.
“I think the Hopeful would be the next step with three starts under his belt,” said Pletcher after winning his record seventh Sanford. “If he’s tearing the barn down, we’ll see.”
John Oxley’s Strike Silver held enough speed to hold second while it was another 3 ¼ lengths behind to Whiskey Echo for third. Bano Solo faded to fourth.
Knicks Go, Lexitonian and Chase Greatness completed the order of finish.

Todd Pletcher, winning trainer of Sombeyay (No. 1, $7.70*): “I thought he ran really well. [He] showed a little more speed than I thought he would. Javier [Castellano] had to take a bit of a hold on him at one point, but when he took him out, he finished up nicely.

“He’s not a particularly impressive workhorse in the mornings. He’s always run better than he breezes. I’m perfectly happy with that as long as he’s happy and healthy and continues to perform in the afternoons. But, he’s not one that would blow you away in the mornings. I think in these early 2-year-old races, experience is huge. Having two starts compared to others with only one, I think that helped today. I think it hurt him a little the last time when he stumbled, you could argue that it helped him today. I think the [Grade 1, $350,000] Hopeful [September 3] would be the next logical step with three starts under his belt if he was tearing the barn down, we’ll see.”

Javier Castellano, winning jockey aboard Sombeyay (No. 1):“It was perfect. He broke good out of the gate and put me in the right position. Today, I didn’t want to be too far back. It worked out the way we wanted today. When I asked, he took off. I loved the way he finished. He’s a good come-from-behind horse. It was very satisfying. I give all the credit to Todd [Pletcher]. I never rode this horse before, and Todd [Pletcher] gave me the instructions.”

Winning margin: neck
Final time (six furlongs): 1:10.35
Fractions: 22.26; 45.49; :57.64
Full order of finish: 1-8-4-7-3-2-6