Vasari and Hayden Barnes annihilate their rivals at Albion Park in 1:52 flat in May. PHOTO: Dan Costello.
Vasari opens his account in New York with a 1:52.3 mile at Saratoga - and he jogged it
By Barry Lichter • 7 October 2019
Vasari has made a flying start to his American career with a dominant win at Saratoga in New York.
The former Lincoln Farms pacer, now trained by Paul Zabielski, started second favourite on Saturday and the result was never in doubt, the commentator declaring he jogged the mile as he hit the wire in 1:52.3.
Vasari started from two on the gate and was driven aggressively by driver Jim Devaux to cross the pole runner Delightful Joe after an opening 400 metres in 27.1.
Devaux kept his foot down throughout, clocking the next sectionals in 28.3, 28.1 and 28.3, finishing with something in reserve.
Run for a stake of US$11,000, the race was the first for Vasari’s new Saratoga Springs owner Keith Quinn since he bought him from Lincoln Farms’ John and Lynne Street and partners Ian Middleton, Rod and Sue Fleming and Peter Jeffares in late August.
The six-year-old flew to the States in the form of his life, with three wins and a second in his last four starts at Albion Park.
His 86-start career down under saw him bank A$150,000 from 16 wins, five in New Zealand for Ray Green, and 11 in Australia for first Sonya Smith and Anthony Butt in Sydney then Al Barnes in Queensland.
Barnes predicted on his departure that he would be ideally suited to the go-hard style in America, tactics which saw him clock a 1:52 flat mile at Albion Park in May when winning by more than 17 metres.
You can see the race on the following link - https://saratogacasino.com/race-replays/- just click on Saturday the 5th and then race 4 to view.
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Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 2: Sammy Lincoln
5.48pm
“Sammy Lincoln has a bit more speed than Lincoln Wave - he’s very fast for a big, rangy horse - but he might be vulnerable on Friday - he could experience difficulty on the corners going right-handed. He won’t be a maiden for long.”
Race 2: Lincoln Wave
5.48pm
“I’d say he’d be the more reliable of our two. He was clearly our best two-year-old before he got injured and we’ve waited a long time for him. He’s a powerful colt and should have a bright future.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.13pm
“The seven draw is a bit awkward but he’s trained on really well since Cambridge and I’m picking he’ll go really well.”
Race 8: Tyson
8.38pm
“He had a week off after his last run at Auckland, but I don’t think he’ll be short of a run. He’ll come back into the fray as tough as ever.”
Race 8: Spiritual Bliss
8.38pm
“She was incredibly unlucky at Cambridge. The gap opened up for Harrison, he tried to push through, then it closed on him. If she led, she’d be the one to beat. She’s a nice mare and she’s pretty tough, she doesn’t give it up.”
Ray’s comments
Monday at Taupo
Race 2: Lincoln Maree
11.55am
“She’s been held up from awkward draws lately but gets the inside on Monday. She has limited ability but is racing really well and there are no superstars in the field. I think she’ll be fine on the grass as she’s good-gaited and wears no boots. She tries very hard and looks to have a decent show.”
Race 7: Lincoln Lover
2.17pm
“He’s the consummate tradesman, reliable and honest and deserves a win. He was only beaten by the passing lane runner last time after sitting parked for the last lap. He’s drawn to lead here and if he does that he’ll be hard to beat.”
