Wise Dan, the reigning two-time Horse of the Year he trains for breeder-owner Morton Fink, returned from a 15-week layoff to hold off late-running long shot Optimizer and win the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap by a nose at Saratoga.
The champ is back. Two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, making his first start since returning from May 16 colic surgery, held off 29-1 shot Optimizer by a nose Aug. 30 to win the $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) at Saratoga Race Course.
After being nominated by Tabcorp CEO David Attenborough and Melbourne Racing Club CEO Brodie Arnhold, Racing Victoria CEO Bernard Saundry enlisted the help of jockey Chris Symons to take up the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.
Making his first start on turf, Dominus led every step under a measured ride from Julien Leparoux and rolled to a 1 ¼-length victory over even-money favorite Data Link in Saturday's Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga Race Course.
The grass proved greener for Dominus at Saratoga Race Course Sept. 1, when the 4-year-old son of Smart Strike took the $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT). It was his first graded stakes score and his first try on turf.
