Updated 09/03/2012 09:17 PM
The Spa Spot: Hit it Rich runs away with Glens Falls
Hit It Rich broke sharply and went on to a gate-to-wire victory under Javier Castellano Monday in the Grade 3 Glens Falls.
“She’s phenomenal," Castellano said. "In a small field with not a lot of speed in the race, I took advantage by trying to get to the lead and not look back, just forward. She’s a really nice horse and put up good fractions today. I’m very happy with the way she did it.”
Shug McGaughey
Stuart Janney's Smart Strike mare won by 1 1/2 lengths over Bizzy Caroline, who tracked her the 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf course, and paid $3.70. Waya winner Kissable was third in the race for older fillies and mares.
Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey said the race scenario played out nicely.
“The game plan was if she could have the lead it’s perfect," he said. "If we have a target that’s fine, too. He said she broke good, was relaxed, and they kind of gave him the lead even though that filly was sitting on her. He said going into the first turn she sort of just pricked her ears, and when she came by me the first time she was just galloping along, and that was fine with me.”
The Glens Falls was Hit It Rich's first race since she finished third in the New York Handicap on June 30. McGaughey skipped two races, one at Saratoga and one at Arlington Park, and waited for the Glens Falls.
“I didn’t need to give her any time, but I didn’t really like my options," he said. "I’d rather run in this race than the Waya [on August 6]. I was afraid if I ran her a mile and a half it might take a little of the sting out of her. The Beverly D. was the other option; I didn’t like scale weights going 1 3/16 miles, so this was my only feasible option. I think the freshness really did her good, too. She really trained well, and she ran well today.”