Not everyone loves Saratoga Race Course.
As much as the Spa may be America's most popular racetrack, it's way at the bottom of Seize the Grey's to-do list.
After two disappointing tries at Saratoga, the son of Arrogate shifted locales to Pennsylvania and all of a sudden it was like he was back in Maryland on the third Saturday in May.
Reverting to his winning form earlier this year in the Preakness Stakes (G1) for legendary 89-year-old trainer D. Wayne Lukas, MyRacehorse's Seize the Grey provided his 2,570 micro-share owners with another unforgettable thrill as he led throughout and romped by 3 3/4 lengths in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds Sept. 21 at Parx Racing.
"I don't know if I have ever been involved with that many people who are crying and hugging and jumping up and down," Lukas said. "Racing is calloused a little bit but not with these people. They were driving all night to get here ... crying and hugging ... it was unbelievable. I have always felt as trainers that we have done it, but the real joy is doing it for your clients. After you win one, you are always thinking about the clientele."
After jumping to the upper echelon of the 3-year-old class with back-to-back wins in the Pat Mile Day Mile Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs and Preakness at Pimlico Race Course, Seize the Grey was shipped to Saratoga, where he finished seventh in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and fourth in the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) in his most recent start and lost some of his May luster.
"The thing about him is that after the debacle in Saratoga he trained brilliantly ever since. It never changed. He was really sharp every day. This is very gratifying," Lukas said. "I was very confident. I have been that confident with him three times and all three times he won."
Bound for Gainesway Farm after his racing career, Seize the Grey added another dose of top-level success to his résumé that includes five wins in 13 career starts. The Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar could be next, but Lukas was uncertain if the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) or the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at 1 1/4 miles would be the best for him.
"I will give them my vote. I don't like to make decisions in the winner's circle. I am thinking (Dirt Mile) but a mile-and-a-quarter is well within his scope, especially on that track. If you are ever going to get a mile-and-a-quarter, you will get it there," the Hall of Fame trainer said.
Jockey Jaime Torres hustled Seize the Grey to the front from post 2 in the field of 11 and never looked back. On the backstretch, the 4-1 third choice ($10.60) was chased by Unmatched Wisdom, the 5-2 co-favorite, and Just Step On It while leading by a half-length through splits of :23.89 and :49.25.
"I didn't expect to get the lead that easy," Torres said. "I thought it would be more tough, but you have to come out and stick with the plan. If you can follow the plan that's a good thing. You can expect something. You need to go with the plan and whatever might happen you make changes."
On the final turn, Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner Stronghold took aim at the leader while the normally speedy Dragoon Guard, the other 5-2 co-choice, rallied into contention from the rail. Stronghold, a Ghostzapper colt, drew alongside the Preakness winner entering the stretch, but Torres found another gear in the final furlong with his colt and drew clear.
Seize the Grey crossed the wire in 1:51.89 for the 1 1/8 miles in the final grade 1 dirt route of the year restricted to 3-year-olds.
Stronghold, owned by Eric and Sharon Waller and trained by Phil D'Amato, was second by a head over Juddmonte's Dragoon Guard, a son of Arrogate trained by Brad Cox who had a four-race winning streak snapped.
Bred by Jamm, Seize the Grey is the third of five foals from the Smart Strike mare Smart Shopping and her only stakes winner. She also has a 2-year-old Justify filly and a 2024 Life Is Good filly.
Bought for $300,000 from the Mill Ridge Sales consignment at the 2022 The Saratoga Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected yearling sale, Seize the Grey has earned $2,415,938.
