The Big Torpedo puts in a big performance in the NYSSS Spectacular Bid (NYRA/Coglianese)
Itza Mirrakle Graduates at Second Asking
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Thomas Albrecht, Vincent Fusaro and James Klein’s The Big Torpedo went wire-to-wire to win Thursday’s $150,000 Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series, a one-mile inner turf test for eligible state-sired sophomores, at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Tom Morley and piloted by Eric Cancel, the Big Brown chestnut added another NYSSS score to his ledger after capturing the six-furlong NYSSS Spectacular Bid in June at Belmont at the Big A.
The victory earned a career-best 89 Beyer Speed Figure, one point higher than his rail-rallying last-out Spectacular Bid coup.
“I think he is a colt that is getting better with every race. That was enormously impressive yesterday,” said Morley. “We will find out how good he is when he faces better horses. He towers over this group. He tries hard every time and Eric has a huge amount of confidence in him.”
Morley confirmed The Big Torpedo exited the race in good order and will head back to train at Belmont Park.
“Great, ate up last night,” said Morley. “He had a nice little cuddle with Cancel this morning, and he seems to be in good shape.”
Morley said the options are open for The Big Torpedo’s next race, including the local state-bred 1 1/16-mile $125,000 Rick Violette on August 15 and the 1 1/16-mile Grade 3, $175,000 Saranac on August 30. He also mentioned the nine-furlong Grade 3, $500,000 Virginia Derby on September 7 at Colonial Downs as a possibility.
“The Rick Violette, the Saranac, the Virginia Derby, he could run for a huge pot down there,” said Morley. “We will let him tell us.”
The Big Torpedo, out of the winning Empire Maker mare U. S. S. O’ Brien, debuted in November with a runner-up effort over the Big A turf. He made his next four starts on dirt at the Big A, beginning in the $500,000 NYSSS Great White Way in December where he was elevated to third after being bumped and checked hard at the quarter-pole.
The Big Torpedo graduated at third asking, taking a state-bred one-turn mile by 10 lengths in January ahead of an off-the-board effort in the state-bred Gander in February and a second in a state-bred optional-claimer in March.
The talented chestnut returned to turf in April at Aqueduct with a close second to the well-regarded Good Lord Lorrie in the one-mile Woodhaven against open company ahead of the Spectacular Bid.
Morley was also pleased to saddle sophomore colt Itza Mirrakle to a second-out graduation on Sunday in a salty nine-furlong maiden that featured the multiple graded stakes placed Protective, also a Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets contestant, and the well-regarded Military Road.
The two-length stalking score over Protective in a final time of 1:50.72 earned a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure. Morley said he doesn’t think he’s tapped the lightly-raced colt’s full potential yet.
#3 Itza Mirrakle stretches out and goes two turns to break his maiden in R5 at Saratoga under @davisjockey for trainer @morley_racing!
— TwinSpires Racing(@TwinSpires) July 14, 2024
The 3YO colt by Arrogate went off at 4/1. pic.twitter.com/FsdlP5keHc
“I was pleased. He is a colt with a big future in front of him. He beat a good yardstick the other day and beat him pretty comprehensively,” said Morley. “He is also still very immature physically. We won’t be rushed to throw him into deep waters.”
In victory, the Arrogate dark bay avenged a 1 3/4-length runner-up finish to Illuminare going seven furlongs on June 7 here during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Illuminare exited to win a local seven-furlong allowance by 4 3/4 lengths on Saturday versus elders.
Out of the graded stakes placed More Than Ready mare Justa Lady, Itza Mirrakle was a $575,000 purchase at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is campaigned by RAM-ZANOTTI Stables, West Paces Racing and Curtis Green.
