Successful return for Gayego

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Making his 2009 debut in North America, 2008 Arkansas Derby winner Gayego went from last to first to win today's third race at Saratoga.

Ridden by Alan Garcia and favored at 3-4 in a field reduced to five with the early scratch of Americanrevolution, Gayego overcame an awkward break to run down Digger in midstretch and win the six-furlong optional claiming allowance by one length.

Purchased by Godolphin Stable after his 3-year-old season, Gayego had made two previous starts in Dubai in 2009, winning the Group 3 Maham Al Shimaal and running second to Two Step Salsa in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.

Final time for six furlongs was 1:09.25.

"He was probably running in :22 and change the last quarter of a mile. They can only run so fast, so that was pretty good," said Rick Mettee, New York assistant to Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor. "He's probably a little better at seven furlongs or a mile than he is at six."

Mettee said Gayego would be pointed to a start in the Breeders' Cup on Santa Anita's artificial Pro-Ride surface in November, but exactly which race is up in the air.

"We can do a lot of different things with him," he said. "Certainly, you'd like to punch out a Grade 1 with him. He's a Grade 2 winner in the Arkansas Derby and he won an Grade 3 in Dubai, so you'd like to give him the opportunity at least to run in a Grade 1."

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