Lantern Hill Grad Archwarrior Wins Hyped Debut at Saratoga

August 30, 2012

The Thoroughbred Times (www.thoroughbredtimes.com)

The highly-touted juvenile Archwarrior made his career debut a winning one on Thursday at Saratoga Race Course, taking a maiden special weight event for Alto Racing LLC and trainer Todd Pletcher.

The Arch colt, sent off as the 1-to-4 favorite, was away in third and quickly moved up to second with some urging from jockey John Velazquez, stalking Transparent through opening fractions of :22.33 and :45.09. The colt began to inch up on the leader around the turn, was on even terms entering the stretch, and drew clear while kept to task, winning by 3 ¼ lengths. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:10.07.

"I worked him behind horses, so it's not like he's been on the lead in the mornings," Velazquez said. "I knew that I could rate him. I didn't think he would be on the lead because he's not very quick from the gate. He did everything very, very good.

"No, he's not as fast as [champion Uncle Mo, who Velazquez rode to a Saratoga debut win for Pletcher in 2010]. He is much bigger and heavier than Uncle Mo. Uncle Mo was smaller and faster. Archwarrior is more the type of horse who will really get good when the distances get longer. He's not going to win by ten or 12 lengths, he's not going to open up on the field. He's just kind of steady. He should run all day long."

Archwarrior, a $375,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders Sales Co.'s two-year-olds in training sale, is out of the graded stakes-placed Seeking the Gold mare Winner's Edge, a half sister to two graded/group stakes winners. The mare has now produced seven winners from ten starters to date, including stakes winners Return to Paradise and Coya, and stakes-placed Capac.

Archwarrior drew attention as he worked steadily for his debut in company with both two-year-olds and Pletcher's older horses, posting several bullet workouts.

"Everything went as smoothly as we hoped it would," Pletcher said. "I thought he ran very well, very professional. He finished up well and galloped out strongly. … We've brought a lot of first-time starters over here over the years, but I've never had so many questions beforehand."

For video of this race, click here.

Photo Credit: NYRA