Any Given Saturday Getting Better
Pletcher-Trained Colt Has Won Two Major Races in Recent Weeks
A two-of-three winner as a juvenile, Any Given Saturday won the Sam F. Davis Stakes in his 2007 debut, then cooled off. Now, he' s won the Haskell and Brooklyn Handicaps.
Trainer Todd Pletcher made no apologies in early spring when he said he and Any Given Saturday's owners, WinStar Farm, were excited about the colt's prospects for 2007.
Indeed, if pedigree alone were the calling card to the winner's circle, Any Given Saturday would need only to show up past the finish line to collect the flower of the week wreath. The dark bay colt is the son of graded II stakes champion sprinter Distorted Humor. His dam is Weekend in July, a mare by the great champion and widely successful sire A.P.Indy.
The Preakness Stakes champ of 2006, Bernardini, and the 2003 Horse of the Year, Mineshaft, are sons of A.P. Indy. Distorted Humor has also sired Funny Cide, 2003 Kentucky Derby champ, and Flower Alley, a candidate for Horse of the Year in 2005.
AGS's lineage just keeps going, and now he seems to have put together a continuing game plan on the track. Jockey Garrett Gomez said AGS has been a different horse in the last two months, and certainly everyone felt that he was much better than he displayed in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished a dull sixth.
Pletcher said his colt suffered a foot bruise in the Derby that probably hindered him that day. Gomez said he is happy to have his ride on AGS extended, as the bay has won three straight races.
In August, (after a triumph in the Dwyer Handicap), in the $1 million Haskell Invitational Handicap, AGS ran against strong company, Preakness Stakes champion Curlin, and Hard Spun, who finished second and third, respectively, in the Derby and the Preakness. AGS took the challenge, stalking the leading Cable Boy, while Hard Spun did the same. Cable Boy tired in the stretch, AGS picked up the pace, and Hard Spun's go wasn't good enough.
Curlin went far wide on the turn and couldn't mount a challenge. AGS finished the 1-1/8 miles in 1:48.35 to win going away by 4-1/2 lengths.
In September's Brooklyn Handicap, a $150,000 1-1/8 miles run, it was much the same story. AGS caught the leader, Tastyville, from six lengths back, took over the lead easily and drew away by 2-1/2 lengths in time of 1:48.31. Helsinki ran third.
AGS looks primed for the Breeders' Cup World Championships at the end of this month at Monmouth Park, New Jersey, where he won the Haskell. He's learned, and he's earned his way around, and he could be a tough fellow to beat in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
