SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The range of emotions from one start to the next don’t get any wider than they were this summer at Saratoga for Donegal Momentum.
The 4-year-old colt stumbled badly and nearly unseated his rider before being eased to the wire far back in the Grade 3 Kelso on July 5, only to return eight weeks later to upset the odds-on favorite and multiple Grade 1 winner Program Trading by a neck in Friday’s $150,000 Bernard Baruch Stakes.
Donegal Momentum, who captured the Grade 3 Poker here one month prior to his frightening experience in the Kelso, was ridden for the first time and rated to perfection in the 1 1/16-mile Baruch by Irad Ortiz Jr. He set a relatively leisurely pace before relinquishing the lead to the rail-skimming Northern Invader approaching the quarter pole. Donegal Momentum fanned a bit wide into the stretch but still had plenty in reserve, and he responded to strong handling from Ortiz to reassume command near the furlong marker before withstanding a closing surge from the favorite.
Program Trading, making his first start since June of 2024, raced near the rear of the compact lineup for seven furlongs, eased off the rail to commence his bid into the stretch, and finished willingly but fell short with the bid. Northern Invader, who broke through the gate to briefly delay the start of the race, succumbed gradually through the final furlong to finish another three-quarters of a length further back in third.
General Jim and Tabeguache rounded out the complete order of finish. Major Dude was scratched earlier in the day.
Donegal Momentum, a 4-year-old son of Uncle Mo, is trained by Tom Morley for Donegal Racing. He paid $8.50 and completed the distance in 1:43.05 over a firm course that took some rain during training hours on Friday.
Morley said Donegal Momentum sustained a hamstring pull on the right side as a result of the mishap in the Kelso.
“It took us a little time to get that ironed out,” Morley noted. “We sent him down to Belmont and my team there have done a wonderful job with him. It was a recipe that worked before we came here for the Poker, so we tried to do it again and Irad gave him an absolute peach of a ride. When Irad sat stationary and gave his customary flick down the neck, I knew he still had a gear or two in him.”
Morley said the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile on October 4 at Keeneland would likely be next up for Donegal Momentum.
“We wanted to run in the Fourstardave here. Obviously, we needed more time after his last race,” Morley continued. “I’ve always maintained that this horse at a mile is a Grade 1-caliber horse, and I’d love to, all being well, have a go at that.”
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