2001 Go For Wand Handicap

Emory Hamilton's homebred Serra Lake rallied in the stretch to win Sunday's $250,000 Go for Wand Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga. Under a well-timed ride from Edgar Prado, Serra Lake completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.62 on a fast track.
Beautiful Pleasure built a commanding lead while setting fractions of :23.67 and :46.86 in a reprise of her front-running performance in last year's renewal of the race. Beautiful Pleasure led by 12 lengths after a half-mile and 10 lengths after six furlongs (1:10.74) before Pompeii and March Magic led the field closer to the frontrunner on the second turn. Pompeii and March Magic rushed by Beautiful Pleasure in the stretch only to be passed by Serra Lake, who pulled away to the 1 3/4-length victory in the final sixteenth-mile.
"I was hoping someone would pressure Beautiful Pleasure because I knew she was going to the front, but she went fast anyway," said Prado. "After that, my horse just gave me a tremendous closing kick. She's improved so much over the last few months. It was a great race from her."
Pompeii finished second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of March Magic. Darling My Darling, Beautiful Pleasure, Critical Eye, Dreams Gallore, and Wittenberg completed the order of finish.
"I don't know what to tell you," said Beautiful Pleasure's rider Jorge Chavez. "She was sweating a lot before the race. She dragged me to the front. I didn't want to fight her. She got tired."
Secret Status was scratched after acting up in the gate.
"Secret Status sustained a cut over her right eye and her mouth got caught in the bar of the gate when she started to scramble around," said veterinarian Dr. Anthony Verderosa of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner. "It was enough to take her out of this race, but it isn't serious."
Serra Lake (Seattle Slew--Tara Roma, by Lyphard) finished fourth in the Hempstead Handicap (gr. I) in her most recent race prior to the Go for Wand. Prior to that, she won the Pimlico Distaff Handicap (gr. III) following two consecutive allowance wins at Aqueduct. The 4-year-old filly earned $150,000 for her seventh win from 13 career starts.

[@luisdiaz3887]

Beautiful pleasure just needs more stamina. Is a great horse.

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Track announcer: Tom Durkin

[@ronsmac]

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