SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Governor Sam, a four-time stakes winner at 2, looks to get back on track after two disappointing efforts to begin his 3-year-old campaign when he starts as the probable favorite in Sunday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Quick Call Stakes scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs over Saratoga’s Mellon Turf course.
Governor Sam, trained by George Weaver, won his maiden here last summer in his second career start and then proceeded to win listed stakes at Monmouth Park, Colonial Downs, and Keeneland. He set the pace in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint before finishing third, beaten a length.
Governor Sam made his 3-year-old debut in the William Walker at Churchill Downs on April 30, flashing his customary speed and fading to third as the 4-5 favorite.
“Disappointed,” Weaver said. “I thought he should have had more in the tank, but he’s a big, heavy horse. I guess I blame myself a little bit for not training him hard enough. But at this point he should be fit.”
Weaver left Governor Sam in a high-class allowance race at Churchill that was rained off the turf to the dirt where he finished fourth.
“He was just so-so about the surface,” Weaver said.
Weaver also sends out Insubordination, third in the Paradise Creek last out, and Ortley Avenue, who was second in the Roar Stakes in his second career start, first on turf. Governor Sam’s maiden win here last year is noteworthy in that Test Score, the runner-up that day, has come back at 3 to win a pair of graded stakes, including last weekend’s Grade 1 Belmont Derby here.
Governor Sam’s best attribute is his speed. The one potential pace threat in here could be Supersonic Blue who showed speed winning his first two starts this year, including the John Shear Stakes run over Santa Anita’s hillside turf course. Supersonic Blue came to New York for the Paradise Creek, where he didn’t break sharply, was steadied behind horses down the backside, and then was carried out to the nine path in the stretch. He finished sixth, beaten four lengths.
“He was slow away, which compromised his style,” said trainer Neil Drysdale, who makes a rider switch from Flavien Prat to Luis Saez.
No Evidence finished third to Governor Sam in his career debut. He ran three times at Gulfstream during the winter and spring with a win and two seconds. He was second to Most Handsome in an allowance on April 13 and three horses have come out of that race to win their next starts.
No Evidence has speed, but trainer Miguel Clement said he’d like to see him settle just off the pace on Sunday under Manny Franco.
“He’s quick enough to be in front if you want, I would love to be stalking third or fourth, wait a little bit, and let him finish,” Clement said. “I think we took away a little of his punch by being so forwardly placed at Gulfstream.”
Jet Sweep Joe, coming off an allowance win at Woodbine on June 12, and Grayscale, trying the turf for the first time for Saffie Joseph Jr., complete the field.
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