Doc Sullivan nails The Wine Steward in Morrissey. (Susie Raisher)
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Tristar Farm’s Doc Sullivan returned to form when nailing The Wine Steward to win Thursday’s $150,000 John Morrissey, a seven-furlong sprint for New York-breds 3-years-old and up, at Saratoga Race Course.
Doc Sullivan was making his first start for trainer John Ortiz after 14 outings for conditioner Michael Miceli, earning his first win in his eighth start since capturing the state-bred Mike Lee over course and distance on sloppy and sealed footing last June.
Glenn Lostritto, of Tristar Farm, remembered his late father Joe, a former trainer, as he accepted the trophy for Doc Sullivan’s second career stakes score.
“I lost my dad a month ago. His whole life was horse racing – training and breeding with my mom. This horse, he followed through the last few years of his life,” said Lostritto. “He had a vacation – the horse – and my dad passed away a month ago – every day I spoke to him, he’d ask, ‘how is Doc doing?”
Piloted by Hall of Famer Joel Rosario, the 4-year-old Solomini dark bay exited post 9 and was hustled early to sit third behind the pacesetting Light Man with Grade 1-placed The Wine Steward to his inside through an opening quarter-mile in 22.92 seconds on the muddy and sealed main track.
Light Man held his lead through much of the turn with Doc Sullivan and The Wine Steward maintaining their stalking positions as Caldo Candy and the favored Whatchatalkinabout readied for their runs just behind them.
The Wine Steward advanced to the lead at the top of the lane with a ground-saving ride from Flavien Prat and had the jump on Doc Sullivan as Light Man lost command after the half-mile in 46.04.
The Wine Steward established a clear advantage within the final furlong and looked likely to secure trainer Mike Maker consecutive local state-bred stakes wins following My Mane Squeeze’s victory in Wednesday’s Johnstone, but Doc Sullivan chipped away at his rival to come back and put his head in front in a final time of 1:22.69.
“He fought and for a second, I thought the horse was going away on the lead, but he kept getting there,” said Rosario. “Getting up there little by little and then he got there so yeah, he ran great.”
Light Man held on for third 3 3/4 lengths back, with Caldo Candy completing the superfecta. Bank Frenzy, Shadow Dragon, Whatchatalkinabout, Sheriff Bianco, Wynstock and Cicciobello rounded out the order of finish.
Dr. Kraft, Jackson Heights and Quick to Accuse were scratched.
Lostritto said his father would’ve been thrilled with Doc Sullivan’s determination.
“I feel him here today,” said Lostritto. “He was here for the Mike Lee last year and it was the highlight of his year. He was so sick last year and the only thing he wanted to do was get up to Saratoga and watch Doc run.
“That last push… I couldn’t be prouder of the whole team,” Lostritto added.
Bred by Seamus Coughlan, Doc Sullivan is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Queen Frostine and was a $59,000 purchase at the 2023 OBS June Sale of 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age. He banked $82,500 in victory while improving his record to 15-5-5-2 and returning $12.60 for a $2 win bet.
Live racing resumes Friday with a 10-race card, featuring the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame in Race 7. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
