Saginaw won his fifth straight race Aug. 1 by 1 3/4 lengths in the $100,000 John Morrissey Purse at Saratoga Race Course (VIDEO), an event he took in 2012 as well.
One of the most popular horses in New York, Saginaw took control with three-sixteenths of a mile to go and won for the 15th time in his past 19 starts. The Morrissey was his 21st overall victory from 40 outings.
"There is nothing left to say," remarked trainer David Jacobson, who shares ownership in the Peruvian gelding with Drawing Away Stable. "He's an incredible horse. Anyone who doubted him before, there's no such thing with Saginaw anymore."
Junior Alvarado was aboard the 7-year-old who covered 6 1/2 furlongs on a muddy track in 1:16.47. The race, with only four starters, was for horses foaled in New York.
"He just has the biggest heart," Jacobson said. "He's out there to compete, to win, and he just loves to run. He especially loves Saratoga. Now I just have to decide which race I like better, the one he won last year or this one."
Saginaw earned $60,000 for this victory, boosting his career total to $974,690. He was claimed by Jacobson and DAS last April for $30,000, and has won 14 of 17 starts for his current connections. The Morrissey was his 10th stakes score.
Saginaw paid $7.40 and $4.10. Runner-up Mine Over Matter paid $3.60 to place. There was no show wagering. Saratoga Snacks and B Shanny completed the order of finish. Night Maneuver scratched.
Saginaw, bred in New York by Ted Taylor, is out of the Devil's Bag mare Devilzene and now has a 21-6-3 record overall. In addition to his Morrissey titles, he is the winner of the Carr Heaven Stakes, two editions of the Affirmed Success Stakes and the Promenade All Stakes at Belmont Park; plus the Fourstars Allstar Stakes, Gravesend Handicap, Hollie Hughes Stakes, and Compelling Word Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.
