Klaravich Stables' Randomized scored a commanding gate-to-wire triumph in Friday's second running of the $135,000 Wilton at Saratoga Race Course.
The Nyquist bay made amends for a disappointing stakes debut last out when sixth in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 9 at Belmont Park by posting a sharp score in the one-mile Wilton which was contested out of the Wilson Chute and restricted to sophomore fillies which have never won a sweepstakes other than state-bred.
Randomized made every pole a winning one to break her maiden two starts back going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct. After being unable to flaunt frontrunning tactics in the Acorn, where she finished 11 1/2 lengths behind the victorious Pretty Mischievous, she was able to regain her pacesetting form and fend off a late rally from Just Katherine to win by 1 1/2 lengths for trainer Chad Brown.
Breaking from the outermost post 4 under Irad Ortiz, Jr., Randomized cleared the field and was in front exiting the chute, leading Unsung Melody by 1 1/2 lengths through an opening-quarter mile in 24.18 seconds over the fast main track. Stablemate Accede and Just Katherine took up the rear of the compact field.
Around the far turn through a half-mile in 47.49, Unsung Melody tried launching a bid with Luis Saez going to the right hand aboard his charge. Ortiz, Jr. still sat calm aboard Randomized and did not began asking his charge until upper stretch through three-quarters in 1:11.27. Just Katherine began making up ground towards the rail, but Ortiz, Jr. took a peek back and implored Randomized for more. Just Katherine, with Hall of Famer Javier Castellano up, switched leads to pursue an outside rally, but Randomized kept her foe at bay to win in a final time of 1:35.83.
Just Katherine finished 10 lengths ahead of Unsung Melody with Accede completing the order of finish. Sacred Wish was scratched and will point to next Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga.
Ortiz, Jr. said he intended to be on the lead with his eye on Unsung Melody, who was stretching out in distance.
“That was my goal to be on the lead without using too much, but I realized the other filly had showed speed before, she came from six furlongs,” Ortiz, Jr. said. “I had that in mind, but if my filly helped me and break the way she break, I will go for it. And then if he goes, I'll sit second, but we are so good, we are better than the other one and I was able to clear. It was perfect.”
Brown said he was happy with Ortiz, Jr.'s well-executed ride.
“I gave the option [of going to the lead] for him. It looked like there was a speed horse on the inside, so I told Irad just to break and just see what happens inside,” Brown said. “He told me, 'in that first turn, it looked like I had an easy lead, so I just went for it.' When she broke her maiden impressively two back, she was on the lead. So, it might prove to be that she's happiest there.”
Brown has opened the possibility of targeting the Grade 1, $500,000 Test going seven furlongs on August 5 at Saratoga, a race he previously won with Klaravich Stables' Separationofpowers in 2018.
“You'd think a cut back [would suit]. It's a pretty good group this year. It's shaping up to be a really fast race. She might have to put her hat in the ring for that race. I think it would make sense,” Brown said. “For this filly that we had high hopes for – we ran her in a Grade 1 last time and she didn't run well – for her to get back into form and have a nice, impressive win in a listed stake here, it's time maybe for her to go back up in class and run in a better race next time.”
Despite another distant effort, Brown's confidence in Accede, third in the Grade 2 Eight Belles in May at Churchill Downs, has not wavered.
“She ran so well at Churchill and now two times in a row, she's had disappointing results. I think she'll be a fine horse. I just have to go back to the drawing board with her,” Brown said.
Randomized returned $4.60 for a $2 win wager and banked $74,250 in victory which enhanced her lifetime earnings past the six-figure mark to $135,850.
Randomized is out of the Elusive Quality mare French Passport, who is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winning millionaire Smooth Air. She was bought for $420,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Live racing continues Saturday with an 11-race card, featuring the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana in Race 4 [2:46 p.m. Eastern], the Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso in Race 9 [5:45 p.m.] and the Grade 3, $175,000 Sanford in Race 10 [6:19 p.m.]. First post is 1:10 p.m.
Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.
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