Worstcasescenario enjoyed a best-case trip with jockey Alan Garcia to spring a 13-1 surprise in the $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) (VIDEO) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 19.
Tracking a hot pace from Dashing Debby in the 6 1/2-furlong event for 2-year-old-old fillies, Worstcasescenario ranged up on the outside of the hot 9-10 choice leaving the turn to grab the lead. She ran away from the field to post a 4 1/4-length win in a time of 1:16.72 on a fast track.
Trained by Richard Violette Jr. for Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, Worstcasescenario is now unbeaten in two starts. The Florida-bred daughter of Forbidden Apple--Stacie's Halo, by Halo, broke her maiden at first asking in a six-furlong off-the-turf heat on a fast track at Belmont Park July 24, winning by nearly six lengths as the 8-5 favorite. The Adirondack victory was worth $90,000.
Though she had the meet's leading rider aboard, the bay filly was overlooked here by the fans, who could see only Stonestreet Stable's Dashing Debby. The Steve Asmussen-conditioned daughter of Medaglia d'Oro won her career bow in eye-popping fashion over a stakes field by 10 1/4 lengths at Calder Race Course in July.
Breaking from the rail, Dashing Debby was a little slow into stride for Robby Albarado but quickly rushed up to take the lead from Worstcasescenario, who was first out of the gate. The quarter-mile fractions were sizzling fast -- :21.49 and :44.32. But after opening a one-length advantage, Dashing Debby could not shake loose of Worstcasescenario, who drew even coming off the turn and took command in upper stretch. She led by 2 1/2 lengths at the eighth pole and drew off under right-handed urging from Garcia.
“It was the best case scenario, absolutely," Violette said. "She broke so sharply – I thought we’d be three or four lengths back at the beginning of the race. The meet hasn’t been really favorable to speed so I didn’t want to see her hooked with anybody.
"Alan did the right thing and let the favorite run up inside her. She just kept moving stronger and stronger; around the turn he kind of edged up, and then she just took off and opened up on everybody. She’s obviously a pretty nice filly to have.”
“She ran well and did everything right," Garcia said. "She’s a nice filly. Mr. Violette has done an awesome job with this filly."
Dashing Debby would fade to fifth as second choice Sassy Image, ridden by Edgar Prado, rallied for second, 2 3/4 lengths over Magic Appeal and Cornelio Velasquez.
"You know that these kinds of races are going to go that swift and it was against a good bunch of fillies," said Albarado of the beaten favorite. "You just have to expect that pace. I thought she could keep that pace up. She’s a nice filly; she will do it. It is just her second start.”
Beautician, expected to be among the favorites after a second-place finish in the opening-day Schuylerville (gr. III) July 29, was scratched by trainer Ken McPeek after she reportedly had a bout of colic.
Worstcasescenario, a bay filly bred by Arthur I. Appleton and purchased for $120,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sale in April, paid a healthy $29.80, $12.60 and $8.50. Sassy Image, who was coming off a 5 3/4-length maiden win at Churchill Downs for trainer Dale Romans, returned $5.80 and $4.50 while completing a $2 exacta worth $162. Magic Appeal, also facing winners for the first time after her two-length maiden win at Saratoga Aug. 2, was worth $7.20 to show as a 26-1 outsider.
Worship the Moon finished fourth, followed by Dashing Debby, Babai Baby, Camillie's Appeal, Marabelle and Decelerator.