Saratoga Race Course Hosts Thrilling Troy Stakes Victory for Surveillance
(Saratoga Springs, NY) In a remarkable display of equine talent, Surveillance, piloted by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, stormed to an impressive victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Troy Stakes at the iconic Saratoga Race Course.
The Troy Stakes, originally scheduled for August 3 and slated to be contested over the Mellon turf course at 5 1/2 furlongs, was forced to be rescheduled and moved to the main dirt track due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby. Despite the last-minute change, Surveillance proved more than up to the challenge, powering to a decisive 3 1/4-length triumph over a game Outlaw Kid.
Trained by Wayne Potts for Photos Finish, the 7-year-old Constitution gelding broke alertly but was a bit keen in the starting gate. However, Gaffalione skillfully settled Surveillance into a stalking position behind the early pace, timed his move perfectly, and surged clear in the stretch to stop the clock in 1:04.41.
“He was just kind of tossing his head quite a bit [in the gate] and I just never really got him to settle in there,” Gaffalione commented. “But after a quarter-mile into the race, he got well within himself, and I was traveling really well throughout.”
The victory marked Surveillance’s fourth career stakes triumph, adding to his recent dirt scores in the Thanksgiving Classic and Richard R. Scherer Memorial at Fair Grounds earlier this year. Claimed for $62,500 in his previous start, the versatile runner has now proven his prowess on both turf and dirt surfaces.
“We were fortunate to get him in a three-way shake,” said trainer Potts, who also captured the 2020 Troy Stakes with the late American Sailor. “The first time the Troy was scheduled, I thought it was just a little too quick for him to wheel back. So I waited, they cancelled the Troy, and we went back in – got fortunate to go back in as a main track-only and with the storms coming through, everything worked out for us.”
With the Troy Stakes being moved off the turf, the race was automatically downgraded from a Grade 2 to a Grade 3 event, pending a review by the North American Graded Stakes Committee. Nonetheless, the triumph was a significant one for Surveillance, who added $165,000 to his career earnings, now standing at $686,350.
Be sure to stay tuned to Saratoga Race Course for all the latest horse racing news and updates as the prestigious summer meet continues. For complete entries and results, visit the official Saratoga website at www.saratoga.com.
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