In a thrilling display of heart and determination over a demanding, muddy track, WinStar Farm and CHC Inc.’s Patch Adams surged in the stretch to win the prestigious $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday.
The seven-furlong sprint for three-year-olds saw Macho Music break sharply and set a swift early pace, clocking the first quarter-mile in a blistering 22.11 seconds and the half in 44.40. As the field rounded the far turn, the front-runner began to tire, setting the stage for a dramatic stretch duel.
Jockey Luis Saez had Patch Adams positioned perfectly, stalking the pace from the outside. Navigating a four-path trip around the turn, the Brad Cox-trained colt was asked for his run at the top of the lane. He responded with a powerful surge, collaring a game Madaket Road in the upper stretch.
Madaket Road, who had stumbled at the break under jockey John Velazquez, recovered impressively to contest the lead. The two colts battled head-to-head into the final furlong, but Patch Adams found another gear, drawing clear late to win by a decisive 2 ¼ lengths.
“He handled the track beautifully,” Saez said after the race. “He broke sharp, and I was able to get him into a good rhythm. When I asked him, he really responded. He’s a very talented colt and showed his class today.”
The final time for the seven furlongs was a solid 1:21.36, a testament to the quality of the field despite the challenging off-track conditions.
Madaket Road held on gamely for second, well clear of the rest of the field. Big Truzz, who saved ground for most of the race, rallied late to snatch third place, nosing out Citizen Bull for the show spot.
The victory marked another Grade 1 triumph for the powerful training operation of Brad Cox and the ownership group of WinStar Farm and CHC Inc. For Patch Adams, a bay colt by the super-sire Into Mischief, the win cements his status as one of the top sprinters in his division.
Scratched Horse(s): Colloquial (Stakes Scratch)
Fractional Times: 22.11, 44.40, and 1:08.73
Final Time: 1:21.36
Winning Connections
Winner: Patch Adams
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Brad Cox
Owner: CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC
Breeder: WinStar Farm, LLC
Bloodline: Bay Colt, by Into Mischief out of Well Humored, by Distorted Humor. Foaled Feb 20, 2022 in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Into Mischief stands at Spendthrift Farm, in Lexington, KY, for $250,000 Live Foal.
Payouts
1st – (4) Patch Adams – Win: $8.80, Place: $4.90, Show: $3.70
2nd – (2) Madaket Road – Place: $9.90, Show: $6.50
3rd – (1) Big Truzz – Show: $4.50
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (4-2) Paid: $45.75, $1.00 Trifecta (4-2-1) Paid: $181.00, $1.00 Superfecta (4-2-1-5) Paid: $1,137.50
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