SARATOGA SPRINGS – Looks can be deceiving, and that was certainly the case with West Coast shipper Five Star Day in yesterday’s Grade 2, $200,000 A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap.
Five Star Day, making his first appearance at the Old Spa since setting a blistering pace and finishing second in the King’s Bishop two summers ago, was washed-out with sweat as he headed for the gate, usually not a good sign.
But then the 5-year-old son of Carson City broke like a rocket, quickly grabbed the lead and held it through fast fractions (:21.4, :44.3) to win by 1½ lengths, running the six furlongs in 1:08.2, just two ticks off the track record.
“I figured we’d have company early on,” said his jockey, Garrett Gomez, who flew in from California for the ride. “The closest anyone got to us was a half-length. He ran huge.”
Five Star Day’s task was made easier at the start when the speedy 7-5 favorite Bonapaw, expected to duke it out on the front end, got off slowly.
Five Star Day paid $18.40 with Delaware Township closing for second to complete a $70 exacta. Bonapaw settled for third.