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Silver Skillet golden all the way around in $125K Port Washington

by Christian Abdo

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Tango Uniform Racing and Steven Rocco’s Silver Skillet was golden all the way around in Sunday’s $125,000 Port Washington, a 1 1/16-mile inner turf route for older state-bred fillies and mares, at Belmont at the Big A.

Trained by Christophe Clement, the reigning NYTB Champion Turf Female Silver Skillet doubled up on recent stakes success after capturing an off-the-turf edition of the one-mile Mount Vernon on June 9 New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course.

After emerging victorious in the last stakes race of the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, Clement said he was happy to end on a high note.

"It's always nice to win, especially when you train for your friends,” said Clement.

Piloted by Hall of Famer Joel Rosario, the Liam’s Map gray was taken right to the front after breaking from the outermost post 4. Similar to her pacesetting win last-out in the Mount Vernon, Silver Skillet established a comfortable advantage early, this time finding herself six lengths ahead of Lisa’s Vision through an opening quarter-mile in 23.33 seconds over the firm ground.

Rosario refused to let an eager Silver Skillet run off any more during the first turn, allowing meet-leading rider Manny Franco aboard Lisa’s Vision to draw within 2 1/2 lengths, with Snowy Evening and Marvelous Maude one length behind after a half-mile in 49.04.

"I told him [Rosario] to just be comfortable, she's doing well. He took her to the lead - it was a bit quick first quarter, he slowed it down second quarter,” said Clement regarding the early advantage. “She was much the best. It all worked out.”

The early pacesetter continued to lead down the backside and into the turn with Lisa’s Vision improving to a one-length deficit as Marvelous Maude continued to travel inside of Snowy Evening with some work to do following three-quarters in 1:13.10.

At the top of the stretch, Lisa’s Vision and the Irad Ortiz, Jr.-piloted Marvelous Maude were positioned to the outside with their sights set on Silver Skillet, who was ready to roll under Rosario and awaiting any sort of cue from her pilot.

With a hand-ride from Rosario, Silver Skillet flew home to a much-the-best 7-length win over Lisa’s Vision in a final time of 1:43.33.

It was another two lengths back to Marvelous Maude in third. Snowy Evening completed the order of finish.

Whatlovelookslike was scratched, along with main track-only entrants Bon Adieu and Bustin Bay.

Rosario, who notched his fourth win aboard the talented mare including a rallying score in the state-bred 1 1/16-mile turf Suzie O’Cain in August at Saratoga, said being able to dictate the terms has been beneficial as of late.

“She broke a little slow, and got going with a little bit of speed, but I was able to slow it down on the backside a little bit and she did the work,” said Rosario. “Very nice. She’s really talented and sometimes she likes to do her own thing. She’s just a racehorse.”

Bred in the Empire State by Robert Chasanoff, Silver Skillet, out of the stakes-winning Red Giant mare Catcha Rising Star, banked $68,750 in victory while improving her record to 14-5-3-2. She returned $3.10 for a $2 win bet as the post-time favorite.

Live racing resumes Thursday at Saratoga Race Course for Opening Day of the 2024 summer meet. First post on Thursday’s 11-race card, headlined by the Listed $175,000 Schuylerville in Race 10, is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at NYRABets.com.