Following Sea dominates Vosburgh S. (G2) for first stakes win

Spendthrift Farm’s homebred colt Following Sea earned himself a trip to the Breeders’ Cup with a 4 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s $250,000 Vosburgh S. (G2) at Belmont Park.

The win marked the first stakes win for the 3-year-old colt, who finished third in both the Haskell Inv. (G1) and Allen Jerkens Memorial S.  (G1) over the summer.

The Vosburgh is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” Challenge series, giving the bay colt a guaranteed spot in the Nov. 6 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), should his connections decide to run.

Following Sea had no problem making the lead in the field of four, getting the first quarter-mile in :22.59, with multiple graded stakes winner a length behind. Following Sea was allowed to relax around the turn before being asked to run by jockey Joel Rosario at the top of the stretch. He responded immediately and cleared off under a hand ride, stopping the timer in 1:09.20 on a fast main track.

“I thought he ran great,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “We just wanted to take advantage of the outside post and see how everything unfolded. He really took all the strategy out of play in the first 50 yards. He broke great, put himself right on the front and it seemed like he was in hand throughout.

“We’ll play it by ear and see (about the Breeders’ Cup). I’ll talk to the guys at Spendthrift and we’ll come up with a plan. It’s got to be in play.”

Following Sea’s dam Quick Flip–a winner of her first three starts at two, including Tampa’s Sandpiper S.–was purchased by Spendthrift Farm carrying Following Sea in utero for $230,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. Quick Flip’s 2-year-old filly Gimmick, a daughter of Into Mischief, recently placed in the $200,000 Sorority S. at Monmouth Park.