Mythical defeats males in Listed Tremont
The filly Mythical was supplemented to Thursday’s Listed $150,000 Tremont rather than taking on fellow fillies in the Astoria on the same card, a decision that was proven correct when she wired the 5 1/2-furlong sprint for juveniles on Day Two of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course.
“It was actually an owner's decision,” trainer Jorge Delgado said. “Entry day, they were looking at what was a better spot [versus facing fillies in the Astoria]. They figured that this filly has tons of speed, there was a little more speed in the filly race. We wouldn't run away from anybody, but we wanted to find the easier spot for the way she runs and to develop that speed.”
A Florida homebred for Arindel, Mythical added to a similar dominant debut graduation on April 17 at Gulfstream where she led throughout the 4 1/2 furlongs and drew off to score by 8 1/2 lengths under Emisael Jaramillo.
Delgado said the filly’s speed comes naturally.
"She does that in the morning which is scary,” Delgado said. “She does really well every breeze. She just wants to run. She is born to be a runner. Once she hears the bell, she wants to go.”
With Jaramillo back aboard, Mythical broke sharply from post 3-of-5 and skipped to the front to mark an opening quarter-mile in 22.20 seconds over the fast footing with Mercilesanihilator tracking to her outside and Blinging It Back on her inside.
"This was the plan from the very beginning,” Jaramillo said. “The idea was to take the lead and go all the way. These horses are just learning to run, so the horse that takes the lead usually is the one that gets the win.”
Mythical maintained a two-length advantage in the turn as Blinging It Back swung off the rail and to the outside of the pacesetter to gear up for a bid after the half-mile in 44.97. Mythical dug in gamely in the stretch through five furlongs in 57.14, and was never threatened as she drew off and crossed the wire 3 1/2 lengths in front in a final time of 1:03.57.
Post-time favorite Blinging It Back was 7 3/4 lengths ahead of Romeo in third with Baytown Dreamer and Mercilesanihilator completing the order of finish.
Delgado said he is inclined to keep Mythical against female rivals in the future, which could include a start in the Grade 3, $175,000 Adirondack on August 3 at the Saratoga meet.
"We'll see when the time comes. I will discuss with the owners. Most likely, probably, sticking with the boys was a one-time thing,” Delgado said, with a laugh. “We will probably go with girls, and decide with the owners. We are very happy she won and we'll enjoy this win."
Hall of Famer Mark Casse, conditioner of runner-up Blinging It Back, said the son of Volatile was admirable as he still searches for his first victory.
“The other one was much faster than us—that was the only excuse,” Casse said. “He tried hard the whole way and was second-best. He will stick around here, like all the horses we brought up here, and that should set him up nice for a maiden race the first part of the Saratoga meet.”
Mythical is by St Patrick’s Day and is out of the winning Brethren mare Lailoni, whose dam Dat You Miz Blue was a graded stakes-winning New York-bred. Mythical banked $82,500 in victory while returning $5.70 on a $2 win ticket.
Live racing resumes Friday at Saratoga Race Course for Day Three of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, featuring four Grade 1 events in the $750,000 New York presented by Rivers Casino [Race 12], the $500,000 Ogden Phipps presented by Ford [Race 9], the $500,000 DK Horse Acorn [Race 11], and the $500,000 Just a Game presented by Resolute Racing [Race 13]; along with the Grade 2, $300,000 Bed o' Roses in Race 6; and the Grade 2, $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup in Race 10. First post on the 14-race card is 11:40 a.m. Eastern with gates opening at 10 a.m.
America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.belmontstakes.com/event-info/tv-schedule.
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