Proctor’s Ledge jumps up to win G3 Lake George

NYRA RELEASE —-

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Patricia Moseley’s homebred Proctor’s Ledge picked up her first stakes win with a late-running 1 ¾-length victory over Party Boat in the Grade 3, $150,000 Lake George for 3-year-old fillies on the turf, the second of two stakes on Friday’s 10-race Opening Day card at Saratoga Race Course.

Javier Castellano was aboard the 3-year-old filly by Ghostzapper, who sat off the hedge in fifth as the front-running Chubby Star took the field of 10 through an opening quarter-mile in 24.71 seconds and a half in 49.66. Proctor’s Ledge tracked comfortably between horses as the field rounded the far turn and was set down at the top of the stretch, launching a three-wide rally into the stretch, hitting the front near the eighth pole to hold clear for the win.

“I loved the way she did it,” said Castellano. “She got a slow pace, good position and she finished good. She was impressive. I never rode her before but she did amazing. She was in a comfortable rhythm. She was in a good spot and turning for home, she kicked really well.”

The winner covered 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon Turf Course in 1:41.47. Sent off at 6-1, Proctor’s Ledge returned $14.20 for a $2 win wager.

The win was the third of the year but first in four tries at the stakes level for Proctor’s Ledge. She kicked off her sophomore campaign with a maiden-breaking win in January and followed up with a 3 ¼-length optional claiming victory in February at Gulfstream Park for trainer Brendan Walsh.

Proctor’s Ledge waded into deeper Grade 3 waters, finishing a troubled third in the Appalachian in April and a wide fourth in the Edgewood on May 5. Last time out, she closed late to finish second to Sweeping Paddy in the Regret on June 17 at Churchill Downs.

“It’s huge for me,” said Walsh. “Everything hadn’t quite fallen into place the last few times, but she did it today so I’ll credit everybody today. We finally got it right.

“We might come back to run later in the meet,” he added. “We’ll leave her here, and see how she comes out of it, and go from there. There’s a lot of spots for a 3-year-old filly at the end of the year, but I think she’s going to have a hell of a second half of the year, and I think she’s going to be a better filly next year.”

Fifty Five was third, followed by Chubby Star, Fizzy Friday, Defiant Honor, Dream Dancing, Victory to Victory, Super Marina, and Sweeping Paddy. Corporate Queen, entered for the main track only, was scratched.

Cover Photo: Proctor’s Ledge; Chelsea Durand Photo