"He's a real nice 2-year-old
right now," said Byrne. "He was a
little green down the lane but he was still
running at the same time. I couldn't be any
happier. It sets up perfectly this year with
the Breeders' Cup being at Belmont where it's
a one-turn mile and a sixteenth. So we didn't
feel a rush to go two turns with him, though
I think he'll be a better two-turn horse."
With challengers on all sides
as they came off the turn in the one-turn mile
event, jockey Mark Guidry asked the good-looking
dark bay for his run and Sorcerer's Stone kicked
on to snatch the lead in upper stretch. By the
eighth pole, he was in complete command and
won as much the best by 8 1/2 lengths in a stakes
record time of 1:35.
"He's a very gutsy little
horse," Guidry said.
Charley Tango, who has two wins
in as many starts at Arlington in his brief
career, ran on for second with Jesse Campbell
aboard. Red Raymond, with John McKee, finished
third, another 1 1/4 length behind.
Grand Survival, a son of Grand
Slam who was made the 11-10 favorite off an
impressive maiden debut victory at Saratoga
Aug. 6, was never a factor and finished seventh
for jockey Gary Stevens.
Sorcerer's Stone defeated Private
Vow, who won the Futurity (gr. II) at Belmont
Park Saturday, in his debut race by a half-length
going 4 1/2 furlongs at Churchill Downs July
3. The colt returned to win the 5 1/2-furlong
Honest Pleasure at Arlington July 31. Sunday's
win pushed the Kentucky bred's earnings to $177,645.
The third choice in the field
of nine, the winner paid $12, $5.80, and $4.
Charley Tango, a son of Maria's Mon, returned
$7.80 and $5 and was part of a $61.20 exacta.
Red Raymond, who led on the turn for home before
falling back, was $3 to show.
Mr. Pinstripe, Broadway Ridge,
Mondavi, Grand Survival, Brunzer, and Cool Valley
Cowboy completed the order of finish.
Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds
bred Sorcerer's Stone, who was purchased privately.
