SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Steve Asmussen mapped out a three-race plan for his speedy filly Society for 2024, hoping to have her at her best for the Breeders’ Cup, instead of before it, as was the case a year ago. Step two of that plan came Saturday at Saratoga with Society showing she is indeed on the right track to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint after rallying from just off the pace to an impressive 3 1/4-length victory over Scylla in the Grade 1 Ballerina.
Vahva, the even money favorite, finished third.
Society earned an automatic berth into the BC Filly and Mare Sprint by virtue of her victory in the Ballerina, which is a Win and You're In Breeders' Cup Challenge race.
Step one of Asmussen’s plan came on June 22 at Churchill Downs where Society finished third, beaten just 1 1/2 lengths by Vahva, after setting the pace into the stretch of the Grade 3 Chicago Stakes. The outing was her first since finishing fourth nearly nine months earlier in the 2023 BC Filly and Mare Sprint. Asmussen was confident Society would move forward off the performance in the Ballerina.
With her regular rider Tyler Gaffalione aboard, Society broke well to stalk the early pace of Munnys Gold, while under a snug hold in the run down the backstretch. Society readily overtook the leader while still in reserve approaching the quarter pole, edged clear, then steadily increased her advantage under strong handling to the end.
Scylla, turning back to seven furlongs off a steady series of longer races, raced well-placed, about three lengths off the lead for the opening five furlongs. She was set down while angling wide to launch her bid into the stretch, moved to closer contention nearing the eighth pole but proved no match for the winner. It was another length back to Vahva, who loomed boldly near the inside into the stretch but flattened out through the final furlong.
The win was the eighth in 14 lifetime starts and second Grade 1 victory for Society, a 5-year-old daughter of Gun Runner owned by Peter Blum. She paid $9.40 and completed seven furlongs over a fast track in 1:22, good for a 102 Beyer Speed Figure.
“Obviously she’s very fast and very generous and that’s why she came back in training, to get to the Breeders’ Cup,” Asmussen explained. “She ran very honorably last year but she can run better. And that was the plan. We wanted the Breeders’ Cup to be her third race, with these three races in mind.
"I think she’s better now than she’s ever been, age and patience has improved her, and today was a perfect place to showcase it. She’s just a beautiful filly that we are very fortunate to have to race.”
Gaffalione said he felt Society has always had that kind of effort in her.
“She got a little unlucky last year, but we’ve always maintained confidence in her, and she proved us right today,” Gaffalione said. “Just having a start under her belt. Last time we weren’t all-in. Obviously, we had bigger things on the horizon. We got enough out of the race, she came out of it well, so it set us up well for today.”
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.