By Tim Wilkin
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Uncaged (Curlin) was unleashed in front of a big house at Saratoga Race Course on Whitney Day at Saratoga Race Course.
And, at the end of the six-furlong $100,000 maiden special weight, Uncaged left no doubt. He and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. began revving up just outside the eighth pole and won going away by 1 3/4 lengths.
Afterwards, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher and the ownership group of Repole Stable and WinStar Farm were more than pleased.
Pedigree wise, you don't see Curlin progenies flourish running six furlongs.
“I entered this horse at six furlongs and the whole goal was you hope he is third by three (lengths) and coming,” Mike Repole of Repole Stable said in the crowded winner's circle. “I don't know how many Curlin colts going six furlongs have won at this track as a 2-year-old. That is pretty impressive.”
Curlin, a member of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and a two-time Horse of the Year, was bred to Dark Nile by WinStar Farm and Uncaged was the result.
When he was sent to the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, Repole bought him for $450,000.
“I went to Elliott [Walden, WinStar CEO and Racing Manager] and Kenny Troutt [WinStar owner] right before he went into the ring and I said, 'would you guys stay in at 25 percent if I buy him?” Repole said. “They both said yes and I thought that was a good sign, so I bought him. I thought it was really cool they wanted to stay in.”
Walden said that, as a foal, Uncaged was well balanced and athletic, two of the musts for a young horse. Walden, like Repole and Pletcher, had some doubts about Uncaged being successful at six furlongs.
The horse, obviously, had no such issue.
“To win the first time out at six furlongs is good,” Walden said. “We weren't sure about the six furlongs. The mare won at two turns, Curlin won at two turns. We left it up to him.”
Uncaged was entered in a race here last week but was scratched.
While running at six furlongs was the great unknown for the son of Curlin, he passed the test.
“Today was more about trying to get him an education,” Walden said.
He began getting his momentum outside of the eighth pole and found his best stride inside the sixteenth pole.
He went off at odds of 5-1 and paid $12.60 while being timed in 1:10.55 over the muddy track.
“He is a colt we have had high hopes for,” Pletcher said. “He is a beautiful horse and has trained well. I thought he really finished off the race well and put himself in a good stalking position. He kicked on when he needed to.”
With the maiden win on the resume, what comes next is the question.
Walden smiled when he was asked about it.
“Hope-fully, we will see,” Walden said, emphasizing the first syllable. “Hope-fully.”
The $300,000 GI Hopeful Stakes at seven furlongs is run at the Spa Sept, 2–Labor Day–which is closing day of the 40-day meet.
Repole also mentioned the Hopeful but said the $500,000 GI Champagne Stakes at a mile is a possibility.
As the races get longer, Uncaged should get better. That's what his breeding suggests.
“It's nice to have a dream.” Walden said. “That is what this business is all about.”
UNCAGED, the 2YO son of @HillnDaleFarm stallion Curlin, breaks his maiden in the fifth race with @iradortiz up for trainer @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/sLbgpmgZVK
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) August 3, 2024
5th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-3, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.55, my, 1 3/4 lengths.
UNCAGED (c, 2, Curlin–Dark Nile {GSW, $250,230}, by Pioneerof the Nile), given a 5-1 shot on debut in a deep and seemingly evenly-matched field, wound up racing mid pack from fourth as the lead changed hands up front in a pace duel through fractions of :22.12 and :45.33. Saving ground into the far turn, he began a sustained rally past the quarter pole, had to come to the center of the track for room and closed stoutly to out-finish Sea Vista (Street Sense) by 1 3/4 lengths. Classicist (Curlin) filled out the trifecta for Todd Pletcher while Code of Justice wound up scratching. Out of late GIII Delaware Oaks winner Dark Nile, Uncaged is his dam's last foal. Sales History: $450,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-WinStar Farm LLC and Repole Stable; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.
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