David Cassidy on the Web
Upset in the Spinaway at Saratoga
Sippican Harbor wins race at odds of 16-1
September 1, 2018
By Tim Wilkin
Early Saturday morning, trainer Gary Contessa participated in a somber ceremony. He and close friends of the late David Cassidy spread the singer's ashes on the Oklahoma Training Track. Contessa called Cassidy, an avid horse fan and owner, a friend for 23 years.
Later Saturday afternoon, he asked his late pal for some divine intervention. It came right before the Contessa-trained Sippican Harbor, a 16-1 long shot, entered the starting gate for the Grade I, $350,000 Spinaway.
"I'll be honest with you," Contessa said. "About three minutes to post, I said, 'David, I really need your help.'I swear to you, that's what I said."
Sippican Harbor may not have needed the help. The 2-year-old filly came bounding down the stretch to win the seven-furlong race by two lengths to gain an automatic bid into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The Spinaway was a Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" race and the connections of Sippican Harbor now have entry fee and expenses paid for the event in November.
This was Sippican Harbor's second start on dirt. The daughter of Orb was making the third start of her career, all of them here. After a fifth-place finish on the grass, she romped to a 17-length win in a race originally scheduled to be run on the turf but switched to the dirt because of rainy weather.
That is when Contessa put her on track for the Spinaway. Good move.
"She stamped herself," Contessa said. "She is legit so we're looking forward to the Breeders' Cup. These are real horses, the best of the best."
Sippican Harbor, ridden by Joel Rosario, paid $34 to win and was timed in 1:23.72. Restless Rider was second, a neck in front of Cassies Dreamer.
Chasing Yesterday, the 8-5 favorite and the half sister to 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, finished seventh in the field of 11. She was never a factor.
"We took a whole lot of dirt and she wasn't used to it," said jockey Mike Smith, who made the trip from California to ride for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. "You hate to come all the way here to school, but it certainly was a good schooling race. We'll see the real her next time."
