Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher deploy Overdriven in the juvenile Grade 2 Sanford at Saratoga
The six furlong long Grade 2 $150,000 Sanford will commence on 24 July at Saratoga race course. The race has drawn a field of eight including the four time winning trainer of the meet, Todd Pletcher’s two-year-old colt Overdriven.
Pletcher has gone on to win three of the last seven editions of the race, his first winner came through More Than Ready back in 1999 and his most recent with Ready’s Image in 2007.
This time around Todd Pletcher and owner Mike Repole has something new up their sleeves, coming off an impressive win in his maiden race, Overdriven is the horse to beat in the Grade 2 Sanford on 24 July.
Romped by 3 ½ lengths, Overdriven broke his maiden at Belmont Park in impressive style, a performance which turned some serious heads, and because of the performance he made his place in the Saratoga meet.
On July 1 under veteran jockey John Velazquez, the son of Tale Of The Cat cracked open the race by showing early foot. The pair covered the five furlong distance in a fast 56.42 seconds, beating their rivals on the Belmont dirt track.
J C’s Pride and Big Creek finished second and third respectively. Because of the speed Overdrive showed in the maiden race he earned a 100 Beyer Speed figure, which is a method to measure performance by Andy Beyer of The Washington Post.
There aren’t many horses that run triple-digit Beyers in their debut race, so it makes the juvenile one for the future. Mike Repole’s other champion colt Uncle Mo ran a 102 Beyer in his debut race as well. The now three-year-old Uncle Mo, was the champion
2-year-old in 2010 for owner Mike Repole.
It would be awfully daring of Mike Repole to compare Overdrive with the greatness of that is Uncle Mo.
He was no Uncle Mo,” said Repole, the owner of last year’s juvenile champion, "but (Uncle Mo) was 10 lengths better than everyone else the first time we saw him; that was easy to see. Todd said we don’t have an Uncle Mo or Stay Thirsty in this bunch, but
we really have a well-balanced group this year. Overdriven happened to be ready first and we really like him.
Overdriven drew post number 6 for Sanford and will be ridden by John Velazquez. He was considered the 3 to 5 morning line favourite for the race. On July 18, Overdriven worked a good session where he did five furlongs in :59 1/5 seconds over the Saratoga main
track.
Other two-year-olds contesting are Tarpy’s Goal, Moonrush, Maan, Black Rhino, Bless The Soldier, Power World and Jack’s in the deck.
Overdriven’s goal is to win the Grade Sanford and go for the Grade 1 Hopeful in September.
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