Big Invasion. (Adam Coglianese/NYRA)
By Mary Eddy
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Big Invasion flew home late under a well-timed ride by jockey Dylan Davis to win Monday’s Listed $150,000 Harvey Pack, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Christophe Clement, the 5-year-old Declaration of War bay notched his first win since the Grade 2 Nearctic in October at Woodbine and avenged a runner-up effort in this event last year when nailed by Thin White Duke. This year, it was Big Invasion’s turn to steal the show late, running down pacesetter High Front in tandem with Our Shot to win by a head.
Clement expressed his delight in seeing the talented horse rebound from a close runner-up effort last out on July 4 at Belmont at the Big A in a six-furlong turf sprint won by Outlaw Kid in a course record time of 1:06.73.
“Well done to the Saratoga team, they’ve done a great job. Well done, Miguel [Clement, son and assistant] and well done, Dylan,” Clement said. “He came from off the pace and was impressive. He’s back to winning. It’s been a long time since he last won. Even if I was very disappointed at Aqueduct, he actually ran very well finishing second – they actually broke the track record that day. I’m delighted he won today so we can go on to better things.”
The Hall of Famer Mark Casse-trained Souper Quest appeared to be the main speed on paper and broke sharpest of all but settled into a stalking position when High Front was hard sent from post 4-of-9 by Ricardo Santana, Jr. to establish command and mark the opening quarter-mile in 21.08 seconds over the firm footing with Big Invasion tracking in next-to-last under a patient Davis.
High Front showed the way through the turn with Souper Quest looming on his outside and Smithwick’s Spice skimming the rail in third. Big Invasion went widest of all at the stretch call to commence his bid alongside Our Shot from mid-pack, threatening in the center of the course with the half-mile elapsed in 43.67.
The Jose Ortiz-piloted Souper Quest headed a stubborn High Front inside the eighth pole, but the oncoming pair of rivals’ turn of foot proved superior in the end as Big Invasion and Our Shot went by in the final yards. Our Shot was game to the wire under Luis Saez, but Big Invasion willed himself in front to score in a final time of 1:01.37.
Souper Quest finished three-quarter lengths back in third with post-time favorite Arzak coming on late to complete the superfecta. High Front, Smithwick’s Spice, Surveillance, Mister Mmmmm and Charging completed the order of finish.
Clement, who previously trained pacesetter High Front, said he was confident in his horse’s chances with the sharp fractions.
“Great pace. My ex-horse High Front was in front in 21 flat – it was wonderful. It was quite a long way – he was a good six lengths [back] at the quarter-pole,” Clement said. “He really kicked, which I like. When he’s right, he’s got that devastating turn-of-foot in the stretch, which I like. He’s on his way back.”
The win marked the eighth stakes score of the meet for Davis, who said the conservative approach in trip was key to his success today.
“I was trying to break well and forward, but he just found himself towards the end of the pack, actually. So, I just got him to relax and tucked him to the rail to allow him to get into rhythm,” Davis said. “Around the three-eighths pole, he started to pick the bridle up on his own. He was wanting to get going.
“I allowed him to ease into the quarter-pole and move to the outside, let him get comfortable,” Davis continued. “He switched his leads and then I slowly picked him up in increments. He got locked in with the nine [Our Shot], who was super game and competitive, but he fought all the way to the wire and was very determined. I think the patient ride was really key here for the strong finish.”
Clement added Big Invasion’s main goal is the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November at Del Mar – a race he finished a neck second in last year when run at Santa Anita Park – with a possible prep coming in the Grade 3, $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint on October 5 at Belmont at the Big A.
“We could go there,” Clement said of the six-furlong Belmont Turf Sprint. “At the moment, probably [pointing long term to the] Breeders’ Cup, but he will run once in between.”
Bred in Kentucky by John O’Meara, Big Invasion brought his record to 20-9-5-1, which also includes a six-race win streak in 2022 that encompassed five stakes wins, led by local scores in the Grade 3 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the Listed Mahony.
The $72,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase became racing’s newest millionaire with his $82,500 in earnings boosting his career bankroll to $1,069,832. He returned $9.50 on a $2 win ticket.
Live racing resumes Friday, September 13 at Aqueduct Racetrack for the start of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. The 31-day meeting will feature 50 stakes worth $10.35 million and runs through Sunday, November 3. For the complete Belmont at the Big A stakes schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/stakes-schedule/.
America’s Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of Belmont at the Big A on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.
