Personal First was bred in Kentucky by George Waggoner Stables, is owned by Dianne Waldron, Leah Killingsworth, and William Shively. (Chart, Equibase)
Recent Ellis Park allowance winner Personal First, sent off at 11-1, saved ground while pressing the early pace set by Disco Rico and Trippi before drawing off through the stretch to win the $110,000 Amsterdam Stakes (gr. III) by three lengths Friday at Saratoga. The David Paulus trainee, who finished eighth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), earned $66,000 for the win, his fifth in 15 starts. The win marks the first in a stakes race for the 3-year-old son of Personal Hope since a four-length triumph in the $60,000 Turfway Prevue Stakes last December. Ridden by Pat Day, the winner stopped the timer after running six furlongs in 1:09.33 over a fast track. "I thought the race set up perfectly," said Day. "He broke alertly and was comfortably placed. He secured a spot on the turn and responded when I asked. He just ran a monster race today."Personal First returned $24 for the win and led an exacta worth $101.50. Disco Rico finished second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of the 1-2 favorite Trippi. Wake At Noon finished fourth, followed by B L's Appeal and Twilight Time. Blazing Count, Left Bank, and Magical Madness were scratched.