Iron Orchard the first Grade 1 winner for Authentic

Top-five Second-Crop sire Authentic got his first Grade 1 winner in thrilling fashion Saturday at Aqueduct when Iron Orchard rallied for a nose victory over Rileytole in the $400,000 Frizette S. (G1).

Undefeated Iron Orchard had two easy wins sprinting during the Saratoga, though they were against lesser competitors than in Saturday’s one-mile race that had a field of 10. After a decent start, Iron Orchard settled in midpack as Carmel Coast zipped a half-mile in :44.84. Around the turn, Iron Orchard positioned herself for her winning stretch run with a four-wide move to get within three lengths of the lead. She took the top spot just inside the furlong marker, then gamely fought off Rileytole, a daughter of Mitole, to finish in 1:35.97 on a fast track.

“Right now, we’ll just be happy and enjoy this,” said winning trainer Danny Gargan when asked about the Breeders’ Cup. “She’s done a lot this year. I told the guys before, we’ll see how it goes. There’s next year–she’s a young filly. I think with the way she ran today, maybe in the future she might be able to go two turns, but I’m just happy with how it went today. I feel blessed.”

Now a perfect 3-for-3, including a win in the Seeking the Ante S., Iron Orchard has earned $352,000 for CSLR Racing Partners and R. A. Hill Stable. The winner was bred by Pine Ridge Stable LLC.