In a thrilling display of speed and stamina on a sloppy Saratoga track, Raging Torrent took the lead from the start and never looked back, holding off a determined challenge from heavy favorite Fierceness to capture the prestigious $1,000,000 Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1).
Guided by jockey Lanfranco Dettori, the Doug O’Neill-trained colt broke sharply and immediately went to the front. Raging Torrent, a bay colt by Maximus Mischief, set the pace through fractions of 23.92 and 46.86, navigating the first turn in the three path.
As the field of five headed down the backstretch, Fierceness, the 0.75-to-1 favorite ridden by John Velazquez, ranged up on the outside to stalk the leader after bumping with a rival at the start.
The two hooked up on the far turn, with Fierceness applying heavy pressure and drawing even with Raging Torrent as they hit the three-quarter mark in 1:10.36.
The pair entered the stretch locked in a duel, but Raging Torrent, under a strong hand ride from Dettori, found another gear inside the furlong marker.
He shook clear of Fierceness outside the sixteenth pole and proved best, hitting the wire 2 1/4 lengths in front with a final time of 1:35.89 for the one-mile contest.
The victory for owners Zhang, Yuesheng and Dado, Craig yielded a handsome $18.00 win payout.
Fierceness, despite the early trouble and a game effort, had to settle for second, well clear of the rest of the field. Just a Touch, who was carried out wide after the start, finished third but never threatened the top two. White Abarrio and Castle Chaos, who was fractious in the gate, completed the order of finish.
Bred in Kentucky by Rodney J. Winkler & Alfonso Mazzetti, Raging Torrent is a 4-year-old colt who demonstrated his class and determination in one of the sport’s most historic races.
Scratched Horse(s): None Fractional Times: 23.92 46.86 1:10.36 1:22.63 Final Time: 1:35.89
Winning Connections
Winner: Raging Torrent
Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Owner: Zhang, Yuesheng and Dado, Craig
Breeder: Rodney J. Winkler & Alfonso Mazzetti
Bloodline: Bay Colt, by Maximus Mischief out of Violent Wave, by Violence. Foaled Feb 21, 2021 in Kentucky.
Stallion Info: Maximus Mischief is standing at Spendthrift Farm, Lexington, KY for $15,000 Stands & Nurses
Payouts
1st – (5) Raging Torrent – Win: $18.00, Place: $4.50, Show: $3.10
2nd – (1) Fierceness – Place: $2.20, Show: $2.10
3rd – (4) Just a Touch – Show: $2.50
Exotics: $1.00 Exacta (5-1) Paid: $23.20, $0.50 Trifecta (5-1-4) Paid: $24.12, $0.10 Superfecta (5-1-4-2) Paid: $5.67
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