Woodford Thoroughbreds’ Pipsy (IRE) showed impressive speed and determination, leading from start to finish to win the Grade 2, $200,000 Intercontinental Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Ridden by Jose Ortiz, the 4-year-old filly held off a late charge from the favorite, Future Is Now, to secure the victory by a half-length.
From the bell, Pipsy broke sharply and quickly established a lead, setting fractions of 21.74 and 44.20. Kairyu (IRE) pressed the pace from the outside, with Future Is Now saving ground in third. As they rounded the turn, Ortiz and Pipsy maintained their advantage.
In the stretch, Future Is Now, under Paco Lopez, found a seam along the rail and made a determined run, but Pipsy dug in gamely, refusing to yield.
“At the quarter pole when they came to us, I was full of horse. We were rolling,” Ortiz said. “I felt like she was running, and I knew with the speed that she had, passing the eighth pole it would take a really, really serious racehorse to pass me because she was rolling.”
Pipsy crossed the wire in a final time of 1:00.98 for the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint. Kairyu (IRE) held on for third, just ahead of a closing Time to Dazzle.
Winning trainer Will Walden commented on the filly’s performance, “It wasn’t the intended path [setting the pace], but what are you going to do, take it away from her? To accelerate, to go 21 and three, and then still come home the way she did, she is incredible.”
Walden indicated that Pipsy may target the Grade 3, $175,000 Caress on July 19 at Saratoga.
This was the second consecutive win for Pipsy, who is now 2-for-2 in 2025. The Irish-bred daughter of Kodiac (GB) improved her career record to 5 wins from 9 starts.
Scratched Horse(s): Run for the Hills (Main-Track-Only)
Fractional Times: 21.74 44.20 55.23
Final Time: 1:00.98
Winning Connections
Winner: Pipsy (IRE)
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Trainer: William Walden
Owner: Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC
Breeder: Noel Finegan
Bloodline: Bay Filly, by Kodiac (GB) out of Experte (FR), by High Chaparral (IRE). Foaled Feb 13, 2021 in Ireland.
Sire: Kodiak (GB) stands at Tally Ho Stud in Co. Westmeath, Ireland (€25,000)
Payouts
1st – (6) Pipsy (IRE) – Win ($12.40), Place ($6.40), Show ($4.90)
2nd- (2) Future Is Now – Place($4.30), Show ($3.40)
3rd – (7) Kairyu (IRE) – Show ($7.80)
$1.00 Exacta (6-2): $30.25, $0.50 Trifecta (6-2-7): $119.75, $0.10 Superfecta (6-2-7-8): $217.20
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