Third Graded win for McKulick

Frankel four-year-old McKulick ran down her rivals to score her third Graded win, taking the Gr.2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga by a neck.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 4th August 2023:

The thoughtfully named McKulick, who has always been special to the Chad Brown team, added another feather to her cap with a late-flying victory in yesterday's Gr.2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga, denying defending two-time Glens Falls victress - as well as multiple Grade 1 winner and 1-2 favourite - War Like Goddess an historic three-peat in the process.

When the gates flew in the Glens Falls, 45-1 Elegant Taste emerged from the early fray with the lead. McKulick raced mid-pack in a good spot as most eyes focused on War Like Goddess in third as she visibly fought Joel Rosario, tossing her head repeatedly. After a first quarter in :24.84, War Like Goddess continued to appear agitated as Rosario restrained her. Tucked in on the rail behind the favorite, McKulick looked a far different matter as she appeared relaxed and comfortable. Things continued much the same through the half in :50.01 and six panels in 1:15.29 until the field bunched up considerably at the 1:39.53 mile marker.

Gr.3 Eatontown Stakes runner-up Vergara dismissed pacesetter Elegant Taste on the turn and took command as War Like Goddess loomed menacingly to her outside. With a sixteenth to go, War Like Goddess collared Vergara but it was McKulick who tipped out, swapped leads repeatedly, and bore down to find the wire first. She won by a neck as War Like Goddess held for second and Orchid Stakes winner Amazing Grace closed to steal third.

"Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] rode a masterful race," said winning trainer Brown. "Early on when War Like Goddess had position ahead of us and was a little rank and such, he carefully stayed behind her. When she came off the rail down the backside before the final turn, Irad cleverly got off the rail as well and followed her and stayed away from the horse [Elegant Taste] that was stopping on the rail. All those moves, particularly that one down the backside really made the difference today"

Brown said McKulick would likely head next to the Gr.2 Flower Bowl Stakes on 2nd September at the Spa at a furlong shorter. That race offers a 'Win and You're In' berth to the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf.