Favored Position Limit improved to two-for-two in her brief career when she overpowered nine rivals in the $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) (VIDEO) for a five-length victory Aug. 15 at Saratoga.
Ridden by John Velazquez, the Todd Pletcher-trained 2-year-old filly drew even with second choice Alienation in upper stretch and put that one away in the final furlong to register an easy score under strong handling. She completed the 6 1/2-furlong test in 1:17.30 over a fast track.
Position Limit, a daughter of Bellamy Road owned by Starlight Partners, has won her two starts by a combined 11 3/4 lengths.
Position Limit was fourth early, about three lengths off the pace, as Miss Sarah Brown, pressed on the outside by Alienation, led the opening quarter-mile in a blazing :21.72. Alienation took over while three wide on the turn, turning the half-mile in :45.07.
Alienation, ridden by Martin Garcia for trainer Bob Baffert, took the lead into the stretch when confronted by Position Limit. She battled the 3-2 choice to mid-stretch before giving way. Coax Liberty, ridden by Jose Caraballo, was another five lengths back in third.
“It set up perfect for her,” said Velazquez. “I was slightly nervous, though when I came up behind (Alienation) because it looked like she was going pretty easily. But as soon as I caught up with her, I knew I had her.”
Pletcher said the Frizette Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park Oct. 9 was a likely target for Position Limit.
“I thought it went very well,” he said of her Adirondack effort. “She was able to secure a good position and delivered a kick when needed. It was what we had hoped for.”
Position Limit was a 6 3/4-length winner in her debut on a muddy track at Belmont July 14. Lazy Lane Farms bred the dark bay or brown filly in Virginia. Out of Payable On Demand, by Out of Place, she sold for $55,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton's 2009 Kentucky July sale.
Under equal weight of 118 pounds, the winner returned $5.10, $3.20, and $2.60 while keying a $17 exacta for her backers in the crowd of 20,980. She earned $90,000 for the Adirondack win, lifting her bankroll to $120,000.
Alienation, making her first start on dirt after breaking her maiden on turf in her debut at five furlongs at Hollywood Park July 5, paid $4.20 and $3.30.
“She’s still learning how to run, but I think she handled the dirt all right,” said Baffert. “The winner is a good filly. We want to win, but I’m happy with her effort. She was the second choice and she came in second.”
Coax Liberty was $6.20 to show in her first try against winners for trainer Jim Lawrence II.
Completing the order of finish were Hula, Nina Fever, Silvislip, Because I Like It, Tristanme, Golden Phoenix, and Miss Sarah Brown.