Spurious Precision, the only contestant in the Saratoga Special Stakes (gr. II) (VIDEO) with a race over the track, powered his way to a five-length triumph in the 6 1/2-furlong race Aug. 12 over five fellow 2-year-old colts for owners Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence.
Spurious Precision’s job in the $200,000 race at Saratoga Race Course likely was made easier after 2-1 morning favorite Shanghai Bobby was scratched. With Shanghai Bobby out of the race, Spurious Precision possessed the highest Beyer Speed Figure, a 91, and went off as the 3-4 favorite
Away alertly under Alan Garcia, Spurious Precision held a short lead over Southern Honor and Drum Roll with a quarter-mile in :21.35. Drum Roll later took over second from Southern Honor but weakened in the stretch and was passed by 26-1 He's So Fine and 11-1 In Harm's Wayin the final furlong. Following In Harm’s Way were Drum Roll, Southern Honor, and Dan the Tin Man.
Spurious Precision’s final time was 1:16.53 after a :44.02 half mile and six furlongs in 1:09.62. All six contestants carried 118 pounds,
“He’s the real deal,” said trainer Richard Violette. “He put Alan in an impossible spot--he beat the latch. He broke so good, it’s not like you can take back at that point. There was serious pressure every jump of the way. Just watching horses come at him, and they did, he had a lot left. I don’t think we have a horse that has to be on the lead; circumstances kind of dictated it today.
“I was hoping Tony Dutrow’s horse (Southern Honor) was a :21 and :44 horse, and he might break well, and we could follow him around there. If we were second or third, that would have been ideal. He broke running, and you’re not supposed to take away what you’ve been given. He’s got a serious pump and he’ll go a long way. I think two turns is well within his scope. He’s obviously got plenty of tactical speed, and he’s a pretty good horse to have in the barn.”
Garcia was riding Spurious Precision for the second time. “I had a great trip,” said Garcia, who won on Spurious Precision in 1:03.49 for 5 1/2 furlongs first time out. “He broke good. He broke sharp and he was in the game, so after that he was going along very strong. (Violette) said if he breaks, leave him alone because the speed is holding very well. When he broke very sharp, I said, ‘I don’t want to take anything easy, so let’s go on. If he’s good enough, he’s going to beat this group,’ and he showed it.”
Spurious Precision, by High Cotton , rewarded his backers with $3.50, $2.70, and $2.10. He’s So Fine paid $10.60 and $4.20, and In Harm’s Way paid $4. The 3-2 exacta was worth $83.50, and the 3-2-1 trifecta paid $247.50. The 3-2-1-7 superfecta was worth $839.
Spurious Precisions earned $120,000, upping his earnings to $168,000.
Violette said Spurious Precision’s next start most likely will come in the $400,000 Foxwoods Champagne Stakes (gr. I) Oct. 6 at Belmont Park, followed by the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Nov. 3 at Santa Anita Park.
Bred in Florida by Michael Chamberlain, Spurious Precision is out of the Scarlet Ibis mare Scarlet Combo.