Trained by Ronny Werner, Run Away and Hide entered the 6 1/2-furlong test on the main track as the lone graded stakes winner in a field of nine. The 2-year-old son of City Zipwas victorious in the May 1 Kentucky Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs two weeks after breaking his maiden on the Keeneland Polytrack. Despite the consecutive wins, Run Away and Hide was sent off as the third betting choice.
A Kentucky homebred for Ron Kirk, Michael Riordan, and John Bates, Run Away and Hide stopped the clock in 1:15.67 on a 'fast' main track under Robby Albarado.
Break Water Edison, who dueled with the winner briefly in upper stretch before grudgingly giving way, settled for second with Alan Garcia aboard. Reynaldothewizard rallied to get third under Julien Leparoux.
Join the Dance set the pace in the Saratoga Special, clicking off a :21.66 quarter and :44.80 half-mile under John Velazquez. Unsung Song pressed the leader, while Proud Jefe, Run Away and Hide, and Break Water Edison were never far back.
When they came off the turn Join the Dance, Run Away and Hide, and Break Water Edison were noses apart in a three-way tussle for the lead. But Join the Dance soon weakened, leaving the other two to do battle. Racing near the rail, Run Away and Hide gradually inched away from Break Water Edison.
“Ronny has done a remarkable job of taking his time with him," Albarado said. "This colt hasn’t run since (May 1), and that’s a pretty long time to be coming into this race against some talented 2-year-olds. He has been a laid-back horse and he has done everything we’ve asked him to do. When I rode him the last time, I told Ronny that he wants to settle. He has worked off horses and inside of other horses. He has shown a lot of professionalism from Day 1. We had a lot of expectations for him, and he exceeded them by winning this race.”
Werner said: “It worked out like we wanted; it sure did. He got away a little bit slow, which was okay. That’s what we were looking for. Robby did an excellent job. He set him up just right. He gave us a little spot on the rail. It worked out great.”
The winner paid $8.80, $5, and $3.80. The exacta (1-6) returned $71.50, with the trifecta (1-6-4) netting $249.
Run Away and Hide, who is out of the Runaway Groom mare Jilted, was offered for $22,000 at the Keeneland September 2007 yearling sale but was bought back.
Join the Dance finished fourth, followed by Proud Jefe, Medaglia d'Onore, Dueling Alex, Unsung Hero, and Lyin' Heart.
