Ashado, a 2-year-old daughter of Saint Ballado, captured the Schuylerville Stakes (gr. II) by three lengths over Maple Syrple. Hermione's Magic was third. The $125,000 event for juvenile fillies was the first stakes at Saratoga this year.Maple Syrple broke first, but quickly gave the lead to Hermione's Magic. Once the field had gone a quarter of a mile in :22.09, Hermione's Magic was still in front, but Ashado and jockey Edgar Prado were gradually moving toward the head of the pack. Hermione's Magic led after a half mile in :45 2/5, but at that point she had only a head advantage over Ashado, who had momentum in her favor. In the final two furlongs Ashado pulled ahead to open up daylight between herself and the rest of the field. The winner finished the race in 1:12.12 and paid $7.10, $4.70, and $3.10.
Todd Pletcher trains the winner for Starlight Stables, John Martin, and Paul Saylor. In the Starlight name, Ashado was purchased for $170,000 at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale. She was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of her breeders, Aaron and Marie Jones. Ashado broke her maiden by seven lengths at Belmont Park in June over a sloppy track. That was her only start prior to the Schuylerville.
