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Jul 30, 2023

Drake's Passage Caps Banner Day for Clement

Trainer Christophe Clement captured a trio of stakes, including the featured $250,000 Albany Stakes with Drake's Passage , to cap a spectacular afternoon on New York Showcase Day card Aug. 27. The

Trainer Christophe Clement captured a trio of stakes, including the featured $250,000 Albany Stakes with Drake's Passage , to cap a spectacular afternoon on New York Showcase Day card Aug. 27. The 11-race program devoted to horses bred in the Empire State featured six stakes worth $1.25 million in purses, at Saratoga Race Course.

Clement, who works closely with his son and assistant, Miguel Clement, combined with owner/breeder Robert S. Evans to win the $200,000 Yaddo Handicap at 1 1/16 miles on turf with New Ginya and the Albany, a nine-furlong route for sophomores, with Drake’s Passage; as well as celebrating the successful return of millionaire hero City Man in the $200,000 West Point Stakes.

Drake's Passage, b, 3/cTonalist — Raucous, by Speightstown

Owner: Evans, Robert, S.Breeder: Robert S. Evans (NY)Trainer: Christophe ClementJockey: Manuel FrancoInformation provided by Equibase at time of entry.

Pedigree NotesTonalist stands at Lane's End for $10,000 (2023).

Both Drake’s Passage and New Ginya are by the Evans/Clement-campaigned Tonalist , a multiple grade 1-winner, who captured the 2014 Belmont Stakes (G1).

“He looks very much like the sire Tonalist,” Clement said of Drake’s Passage. “His stud fee is a very good value in Kentucky. He had a book full this year. It’s great for Mr. Evans, the owner and breeder. It’s all working out.

“It’s great,” added Clement, regarding the three-win day. “Well done, the team; well done, Miguel; well done, everybody."

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In the first stakes of the day, Cypress Creek Equine's Ichiban romped by 5 1/4 lengths in the $200,000 Fleet Indian Stakes. The 3-year-old daughter of Street Sense won her third race in a row for trainer Linda Rice. She completed the 1 1/8 miles in 1:53.23 under jockey Jose Ortiz.

City Man netted his second title in the $200,000 West Point Stakes going 1 1/16 miles on the turf, having taken the 2022 renewal. Victorious by 1 1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:42.63 over a turf course rated as good, City Man is campaigned by Reeves Thoroughbreds and Patty and Peter Searles and trained by Clement. The 6-year-old son of Mucho Macho Man was guided to the winner's circle by Joel Rosario.

The Wine Steward , owned by Paradise Farms and David Staudacher, remained a perfect 3-for-3 with a head score in the $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes for 2-year-olds. Trained by Michael Maker, the Vino Rosso colt landed his second stakes win after taking the Bashford Manor Stakes at Ellis Park in July. He raced the six furlongs in 1:10.92 with jockey Manuel Franco aboard.

Evans' homebred New Ginya, last of eight early, circled the field turning for home, and drew off a 3 3/4-length winner of the $200,000 Yaddo Handicap for older fillies and mares. Jockey Dylan Davis guided the 4-year-old filly to victory in a final time of 1:43.06 for the 1 1/16 miles over the turf.

Caldwell Luvs Gold rallied boldly under jockey Florent Geroux to take the $200,000 Seeking the Ante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. Coming off a July 27 state-bred maiden special win at Saratoga, Caldwell Luvs Gold stopped the clock in 1:11.29 for six furlongs. The Goldencents filly is owned by Dicke Racing and trained by Brad Cox.