The 13th annual installment of the $250,000 Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial Pace featured an incredible stretch drive on Saturday night (July 23) at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
Like most years, the race looked to be pretty wide open on paper with no clear cut favourite emerging. Trainer Ron Burke had two participants taking part in the richest race at the Spa and was looking to be the first trainer to win the Gerrity on more than one occasion. His defending champ This Is The Plan started from post 2 while stablemate Workin Ona Mystery drew the pylons while looking to hold off, among others, the favoured Linedrive Hanover as well as Tattoo Artist, who was the second-choice in the wagering in Saturday’s big race.
Workin Ona Mystery cut the mile in the Gerrity and rattled off first half fractions of :26.4 and :54.3 before dealing with a wide move from Linedrive Hanover, who spent the duration of the mile parked. This Is The Plan got the pocket trip behind his stablemate Workin Ona Mystery while speedy threat Tattoo Artist saved ground before finding room up the passing lane in the stretch. Tattoo Artist surged to the lead in the final strides to get by his rivals and secure the victory in 1:50.1, the fastest clocking for any horse this season at Saratoga. Workin Ona Mystery was a strong second while Linedrive Hanover had to settle for third. This Is The Plan, last year’s winner of the Gerrity, completed the superfecta.
Tattoo Artist paid $7.30 to win and led an exacta and triple that returned $24.20 and $92.00, respectively. Tattoo Artist is trained by Chris Ryder for owners Cannon, Let It Ride Stables and Diamond Creek Racing. With the earnings from his Saturday score in the Gerrity, the five-year-old Tattoo Artist now has piled more than $411,820 in the 2022 campaign and just shy of $1.58 million in his career. Wally Hennessey piloted the winner.
Live racing continues on Sunday evening (July 24) at Saratoga and will feature a Pick-5 carryover of $4,706. The Pick 5 starts in Race 1. Also, the Pick-6 Jackpot has grown to $7,081 and begins in Race 7. First-race post time on Sunday is set for 6:45 p.m. (EDT).
(Saratoga Casino Hotel)