SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Vehemente’s second start around two turns went much better than her first.
Third as the odds-on choice in last month’s New York Oaks at Finger Lakes going 1 1/16 miles, Vehemente used her speed to make a clear lead early in Thursday’s Fleet Indian Stakes at Saratoga and despite tiring late, she never relinquished it, beating odds-on choice Kay Cup by 1 1/4 lengths in the $200,000 stakes for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.
Kay Cup, who chased Vehemente from second, held second by a neck over Valtellina. Carmen’s Candy Jay was fourth followed by Lottie Margaret in the field of five.
Kendrick Carmouche, who had ridden Vehemente to three consecutive sprint victories, said he was the one who recommended to trainer Joe Sharp to try and stretch Vehemente out in distance. Carmouche felt there were several factors why she didn’t do well in the New York Oaks, including that she couldn’t make the early lead.
“She ran good, but they were crowding her,” Carmouche said. “Small track, small turns, it took a little bit away from her because she doesn’t like to switch her leads… Being on those tight turns at Finger Lakes didn’t suit her. As you could see, whenever I got her outside that day she started running again.”
Carmouche said his plan Thursday was to send Vehemente hard to the lead. Vehemente opened up a two-length advantage through an opening quarter in 23.63 seconds and was 3 1/2 lengths in front after a half-mile in 47.86 seconds. Vehemente didn’t change leads in the stretch but she could not be caught.
Vehemente, a daughter of Vekoma owned by David Flynn’s International Equine, covered the 1 1-8 miles in 1:51.75 and returned $11.40 as the third choice. Vehemente improved her record to 5-2-3 from 11 starts and has now earned $320,050.
Flynn, who purchased Vehemente for $40,000 as a yearling, said Vehemente had always shown an affinity for Saratoga. She worked a half-mile out of the gate in 46.16 seconds as a 2-year-old and last week she worked a half-mile in 46.22 seconds from the pole.
“She loves this place,” Flynn said. “It’s been an amazing run. If you told me three years ago as a weanling she’d be over [$300,000] in earnings and what is now 11 of 12 placings … all the credit goes to Joe and his team.”
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