Juddmonte's Spiced Up Secures First Stakes Victory at Saratoga
Juddmonte's homebred colt Spiced Up showcased a strong closing kick to secure his first stakes victory in Sunday's Grade 3 Mahony Stakes at Saratoga. The 3-year-old, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and sired by Quality Road, navigated the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint to victory under Júnior Alvarado.
Background and Training Insights
Prior to this race, Spiced Up debuted on turf after a sixth-place finish on dirt at Belmont in June, following a seven-month hiatus. His trainer, Bill Mott, explained the decision to switch surfaces, highlighting the horse's pedigree and previous performances.
Race Overview and Key Moments
The race began with Ortley Avenue, ridden by Eric Cancel, setting a quick tempo from the outside. Spiced Up, initially positioned near the back, was kept wide around the turn. Alvarado admitted he was surprised by his horse's position early on but remained patient.
As the leaders tired approaching the stretch, Governor Sam, the favorite, moved to the lead with a three-wide rally. Spiced Up responded impressively, angling out and unleashing a strong finish to ove...