While his half-sister, Nest, has been racking up the Grade I victories at Saratoga this summer, Lost Ark (Violence–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) stayed behind in Todd Pletcher's Belmont division with Monmouth's Sapling S. targeted. Mission accomplished, as the 2-year-old remained undefeated in two starts and romped by 7 1/2 lengths in the Sapling.
Shuffled back at the start, but securing a mid-pack spot on the inside, Lost Ark was content to let Bourbon Spirit (Liam's Map) battle it out up front for the :23.94 quarter and :47.51 half. Angled out quite wide on the turn, Lost Ark swished his tail as he unfurled a powerful stride to mow down Bourbon Spirit and finish much the best as the even-money favorite.
“I did not want or expect him to be too far back,” said winning rider Javier Castellano. “It was his first time going two turns and first time going longer so those were my only concerns. I got the ideal trip inside and once I took him out he took off and galloped away. Very professional horse.”
Lost Ark's previous outing came July 3 at Belmont, where he attended the pace before pulling clear for a 5 1/2-length score as he posted a 79 debut Beyer in the 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight. His dam has now produced two GISWs, a SW, and a MSP from six foals to race. She did not produce foals the last two years, but is currently carrying a full-sibling to Nest and is entered in Keeneland's November sale on opening day. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
SAPLING S., $203,500, Monmouth, 8-27, 2yo, 1m, 1:37.20, ft.
1–LOST ARK, 117, c, 2, by Violence
1st Dam: Marion Ravenwood (SW, $112,598), by A.P. Indy
2nd Dam: Andujar, by Quiet American
3rd Dam: Nureyev's Best, by Nureyev
($275,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Harrell
Ventures, LLC; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY);
T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Javier Castellano. $120,000. Lifetime
Record: 2-2-0-0, $169,500. *1/2 to Dr Jack (Pioneerof the
Nile), MSP, $156,155; 1/2 to Nest (Curlin), MGISW,
$1,735,550; 1/2 to Idol (Curlin), GISW, $426,964.
2–Bourbon Spirit, 117, c, 2, Liam's Map–Gifted Glory, by
Tapit. ($115,000 Ylg '21 KEEJAN; $200,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Flurry Racing Stables LLC and Titletown
Racing Stables; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.
$40,000.
3–Major Dude, 117, c, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Mary Rita, by Distorted
Humor. ($550,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE.
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Clearsky Farms (KY); T-Todd A.
Pletcher. $20,000.
Margins: 7HF, HD, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.00, 9.40, 4.60.
Also Ran: American Blaze, Freedom Road, Saloon, V Mart, Minister for Magic.
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