Private Emblem Takes Albany Over Archrivals

Private Emblem avenged his New York Derby loss to Trial Prep with a win over that colt and No Parole in Wednesday's Albany Stakes at Saratoga. Private Emblem, the 6-5 favorite, stayed just off the pace for the first half of the nine-furlong Albany, then accelerated to take the lead at the top of the stretch. Trial Prep stumbled at the start, but by the stretch he and No Parole had a shot at the lead, but didn't have the gas. They finished a nose apart for second and third. The winner paid $4.20, $2.60, and $2.30. The 3-1 exacta (Trial Prep was 2-1) paid $9.10 and the 3-1-4 returned $21.80. The final time for the nine furlongs was 1:52.45. Jerry Bailey rode the winner.

Steve Asmussen trains Private Emblem for James Cassels and Bob Zollars. The colt won the Arkansas Derby (gr. II) and the Southwest Stakes before competing in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), where he finished 14th. After a small break he finished third behind No Parole and Trial Prep in the June 29 Mike Lee Stakes at Belmont. No Parole was third in the New York Derby.

Berkshire Stud and Oak Cliff Stable bred Private Emblem in New York. The colt was purchased at the 2000 Keeneland September yearling sale for $35,000. The son of Our Emblem now has earnings just over $610,000.

(Chart, Equibase)