Saratoga trainer Tom Morley shared an emotional moment with Donegal Momentum early Sunday morning, embracing the dark bay colt who had survived a harrowing incident during Saturday’s GIII Kelso Stakes.
The 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo experienced what could have been a catastrophic mishap in the one-mile Inner Turf contest but miraculously recovered to complete the race.
While pressing the pace heading into the far turn, Donegal Momentum stumbled badly and briefly disappeared from view. For a heart-stopping moment, it appeared the horse had fallen, but he remarkably regained his footing with Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano maintaining his position in the saddle.
“My heart was on the floor in front of me,” Morley said. “It came up from my throat, out of my mouth and was sitting on the floor of the grandstand. For two seconds, I was as close to giving up training as I ever have. And then he came back.”
The colt, sent off as the Kelso’s second choice at 3-1, finished last in the field. However, his ability to complete the race drew loud cheers from the grandstand crowd.
Donegal Momentum, owned by Donegal Racing, showed no signs of distress following the incident. Morley reported the horse yawned while being bathed, ate his dinner Saturday night, and passed veterinary examinations Sunday morning.
The cause of the stumble remains unclear despite multiple replay reviews.
“He certainly did not clip heels; there was no one in front of him,” Morley explained. “He does have a cut on the back of his right hind pastern and the only way that could happen was by someone clipping him from behind. I don’t think that, nor does Javier, nor does anyone else think that is what caused the stumble.”
The most plausible theory suggests Donegal Momentum’s front end went down first, with the cut potentially occurring when another horse clipped him while passing as he was on the turf.
Morley ruled out equipment issues or track conditions as contributing factors, noting the turf course was in “fantastic condition” despite being labeled firm.
“The horse is absolutely sound as a bell,” he added. “I have never seen a horse as unperturbed by something like this in my life. It’s something I hope I never have to experience again and nobody else has to go through because it was just terrifying.”
Locked’s Suburban Dud Perplexing To Pletcher
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher continues to analyze Locked’s disappointing third-place finish as the 4-5 favorite in the GII Suburban Stakes at Saratoga on July 4.
“It’s kind of a hard one to analyze,” Pletcher said Sunday morning outside his Oklahoma Training Track barn.
The Gun Runner colt finished 6 1/4 lengths behind winner Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}), who edged stablemate Antiquarian (Preservationist) by a head.
Pletcher noted that track conditions had favored speed throughout the day, requiring jockey Jose Ortiz to position Locked closer to the pace than ideal. While the colt maintained his effort, he lacked the necessary acceleration in the stretch.
This marked Locked’s second consecutive subpar performance, following a fourth-place finish in the GII Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 2, where he finished 6 3/4 lengths behind stablemate Fierceness (City of Light).
The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm-owned colt had previously dominated the GI Santa Anita Handicap with an 8 1/2-length victory.
“I think he has a little bit of a Santa Anita Handicap hangover,” Pletcher explained. “He went out there and ran an unbelievable race. Sometimes, even though horses will look good and train well and give you every indication they are rounding back into their best form, I don’t think we have been quite able to get him back to that Santa Anita effort. Maybe it will take just a little more time.”
Locked could target the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31 at Saratoga, though Pletcher hasn’t ruled out shipping for an out-of-town engagement.
Pletcher also faces a decision regarding the $1-million GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 2, where he could potentially run both Fierceness (Repole Stable) and GI Stephen Foster winner Mindframe (Constitution), owned by Repole and St. Elias Stables LLC.
“Mindframe came out of the Foster really well and I don’t want to rule anything out,” Pletcher said. “It’s a tough decision to make. You hate to run two horses like that against each other, but when you look at it individually, you can make the case that it’s the right thing for each horse.”
Recent GIII Indiana Derby winner Tip Top Thomas (Volatile) will not target the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes. The James Bakke and Gerald Isbister-owned 3-year-old could instead contest the GIII West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on Aug. 3 or the Listed Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx on Aug. 19.
Casse Says Alabama Next Target For Nitrogen
Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse confirmed Sunday that Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) will target the $600,000 GI Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 19 following her narrow defeat in Saturday’s GI Belmont Oaks Invitational.
The D J Stable LLC-owned filly lost by a nose to Fionn (Twirling Candy) in the 1 1/8-mile turf contest, ending her four-race winning streak in graded stakes company.
The Alabama, contested at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, represents a surface switch for the accomplished turf performer. Nitrogen’s lone dirt start resulted in a dominant 17-length victory in the GIII Wonder Again Stakes at Saratoga, which was transferred from turf to a sloppy main track.
“I still want her to have a shot to be champion 3-year-old filly,” Casse explained at his Saratoga barn. “The only place to do that is the Alabama.”
Stablemate La Cara (Street Sense), winner of the GI Acorn Stakes at Saratoga on June 6, could join Nitrogen in the Alabama. The Tracy Farmer homebred is scheduled to compete first in the $500,000 GI Coaching Club American Oaks on July 19.
Casse unveiled a promising juvenile on Saturday when first-time starter Ewing (Knicks Go) earned ‘TDN Rising Star’ status with a 12-length maiden victory at 5 1/2 furlongs.
The colt, named for former New York Knick Patrick Ewing and owned by D J Stable LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds and Kenneth Frierich, could target either the $200,000 GII Saratoga Special on Aug. 2 or wait for the $300,000 GI Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 1, Saratoga’s closing day.
