Behind Enemy Lines taking the Cutler Bay. (Adam Coglianese)
Saratoga Race Course Notes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – David A. Bernsen, Rockingham Ranch and Talla Racing’s graded stakes-placed Behind Enemy Lines worked a half-mile in 46.66 over the Oklahoma training turf Friday in company with older maiden winner What Say Thee [47.12] in preparation for next Friday’s Grade 2, $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.
The Jack Sisterson trainee was piloted through the breeze by Joel Rosario, who will have the call in the one-mile inner turf test for sophomores.
“He went great. He’s a horse with a ton of speed and I told Joel to just sit behind his workmate and he did it so relaxed,” Sisterson said. “He finished up in hand and galloped out really strong, so we’re over the moon with his work.”
The Sioux Nation colt, bred in Great Britain by The Brigadier Partnership, launched his career in Ireland with trainer Joseph O’Brien for owner Justin Casse. He won at second asking in January traveling six furlongs over the Dundalk synthetic.
Behind Enemy Lines breezed five times over the Palm Meadows turf in Boynton Beach, Florida, before making a winning debut for Sisterson in the 7 1/2-furlong Cutler Bay on April 1 over firm turf at Gulfstream Park.
“The good thing with Joseph and Justin Casse, who orchestrated the deal, we’ve a great relationship and they both know the types of horses that suit America – they need to have good minds and have speed and he has that and more. He impressed us from Day One down in Palm Meadows. Every breeze got better,” said Sisterson, who secured his first Grade 1 win with Vexatious in the 2020 edition of the Personal Ensign at Saratoga.
Behind Enemy Lines hopped at the break of the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 American Turf on May 6 at Churchill Downs, but closed to finish sixth defeated 4 1/4-lengths by the victorious Webslinger, who exited that event to win the Audubon at the Louisville oval.
Last out, Behind Enemy Lines took the lead at the stretch call of the Grade 2 Penn Mile on June 2, but was collared late and finished second, three-quarter lengths back of Major Dude, who had finished third in the aforementioned American Turf.
Sisterson said he had no issues with the trip engineered by Flavien Prat in the Penn Mile.
“I thought Flavien rode him perfectly. Did he hit the front too soon? I don’t think so – we got beat by a better horse on the day,” Sisterson said. “He’s improving numbers wise and he is probably a miler. The American Turf was probably a little far for him – he hopped at the start, but he still ran his race and then flattened out a bit.”
Sisterson said Behind Enemy Lines is thriving at Saratoga where he has breezed back six times since his Penn Mile effort.
“He’s the epitome of a racehorse. He does everything right and he just wants to get out there and train. He needs to be out there at 5:30, if not he kicks the barn down. He eats, he sleeps and wants to do it all over again,” said Sisterson, with a laugh.
Out of the Invincible Spirit mare Autumn Snow, Behind Enemy Lines hails from the extended family of the reigning Champion Male Turf Horse Modern Games.
