By Mike Kane
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — It took Teleport (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) a tad over 1:46.07 to break his maiden Sunday in the sixth race, which took a long time to start and even longer to go official.
The $100,000 maiden special weight event at Saratoga Race Course provided an unusual situation in which Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher had to wait in the winner's circle to see which of his runners–Teleport or Scope (Gun Runner)–who bumped twice in the stretch, would come away with the victory. Scope and Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez reached the wire first, a length in front of Teleport, but after a lengthy review, the stewards disqualified Scope and placed him second.
In a distinguished career with 26,246 starters, Pletcher found himself in what he figured was a first-time situation of being a winner even if he was a loser.
“If I have, I don't remember,” he said.
Though scheduled to start at 4:06 p.m. the 1 1/16 miles turf race was delayed to 4:12 because Stone Farm's Expressway (Hard Spun) flipped in the gate and was scratched.
While being pressed closely by Dynadee (Mo Town), Teleport and leading jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. led through early fractions of :25.66, :51.61 and 1:16.62. They looked like they might secure a gate-to-wire triumph when a bumping incident with Scope occurred between the eighth and sixteenth poles. It started when Teleport came out a bit and made contact with Scope when they were running shoulder to shoulder. The contact pushed Scope out, but a few strides later he came back in and bumped Teleport while Velazquez was striking him with the crop righthanded. Scope continued on and finished first by a length.
A steward's inquiry and a claim of foul by Ortiz led to an extended review by the three judges, who decided on the DQ.
Teleport | Sarah Andrew
Teleport was bred by Newtown Anner Stud who stayed in as a partner when Repole Stable purchased the colt for $403,407 at the 2024 Tattersalls October sale.
Bloodstock agent Alex Solis selected Teleport for Repole and said four factors played into the decision to recommend him: “Great physical, very good mover, good looking and we love the stallion.”
Teleport is Pletcher's ninth winner in the top-level maiden special weight races at Saratoga this summer. He is the sixth of the nine winners that were first-time starters
“He's a horse that has trained, really well for us,” Pletcher said. “He's done all of his training on the dirt, but he's an all-turf pedigree. It seemed like a logical place to get started.”
Ortiz seized control of the race with his horse on the lead and dictated the pace.
Todd Pletcher in the winner's circle | Sarah Andrew
“It was kind of a peculiar-run race, very slow early,” Pletcher said. “I think he was a little bit green by himself. And then obviously some baby stuff going on down the lane. I was happy with the performance of both colts. You hate to have one disqualified, but sometimes that's the way it goes.”
Scope, co-owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Bridlewood Farm and Robert LaPenta was purchased for $400,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.
A big rangy colt,” Pletcher said. “He's been training okay on the dirt. We felt like the main thing for him was he needed distance. I thought he kicked in really well, showed a nice turn of foot for a big horse.”
Two races after Teleport's victory, Pletcher won the listed Bolton Landing with Snow Face Princess (Midshipman), one of his maiden victors. Pletcher has 20 wins through 28 days of the 40-day season.
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