Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Dakota Gold made every pole a winning one in the Aug. 17 $150,000 New York Stallion Series Stakes Cab Calloway, a one-mile inner turf test for eligible New York-sired sophomores, at Saratoga Race Course.
The 3-year-old colt entered the Cab Calloway from a stalking second in the Rick Violette Stakes July 21 also at the Spa when bested a head by Practice Squad.
"We played around with the field last time and it got me beat. I couldn't take that chance today," trainer Danny Gargan said. "I think he's a little better if he stalks, but I didn't want to take any chances today. Let's just go and get it out of the way—that was our plan and it worked out. Next time, we'll try the open company and I probably won't send him (to the lead), it depends on the pace scenario."
Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. hustled Dakota Gold to the front from post No. 6 and marked off splits of :23.82 and :49.18 over the firm going with Cagney tracking in second to the inside of He's Got It.
Dakota Gold maintained command into the turn as He's Got It launched his bid with Barrel of Quests following the wide move.
Marinara Sauced, who had saved ground near the back of the pack throughout, advanced late in the turn and was angled three-wide by Manny Franco to take dead aim at the leader. But there would be no reeling in a resolute Dakota Gold, who prevailed by one length in a final time of 1:37.20.
Marinara Sauced came second, Born Dancer was third.
Gargan noted Dakota Gold will return to open company next with potential targets being the Bryan Station Stakes (G3T) Oct. 29 at Keeneland or the $300,000 Hill Prince Stakes (G2T) Oct. 22 at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet.
"He's run the Breeders' Cup. He got beat by three lengths with Modern Games. That's a tough race. If he can run that race every single day, he can compete against anybody," said jockey Ortiz.
Marinara Sauced, trained by Chad Brown, was a rallying debut winner in May at Belmont ahead of a good third in the Spectacular Bid. He entered from a fifth-place finish in a state-bred turf route against older company.
Franco said the moderate tempo hampered his gelding's chances.
"I expected more pace in front of me. The second part of the race they slowed things down too slow, but my horse was running anyway," Franco said.
Bred in the Empire State by Sequel Thoroughbreds and Ron Bowden, Dakota Gold banked $82,500 in victory to increase his earnings to $575,000 and improve his record to 4-1-0 from six starts. He paid $2.60 as the 1-5 mutuel favorite.
