‘Graveyard of Favorites’ Strikes Again As Chi Town Lady Sweeps to Test Upset; Matareya 3rd

[Wandering Eyes]

The 'Graveyard of Favorites' claimed another victim Saturday at Saratoga, as Joel Rosario guided Castleton Lyons' Chi Town Lady (Verrazano) to a last-to-first upset of overwhelming favorite Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GI Longines Test S. at the Spa. Having to be backed out and re-loaded after acting up in the gate, Chi Town Lady settled at the tail of the field as Hot Peppers (Khozan) ran out to a clear lead and Matareya settled in fifth over the sealed track. The favorite slipped through at the rail nearing the lane and switched out in early stretch to challenge Hot Peppers, and the outcome appeared a fait accompli past mid-stretch. But Chi Town Lady was just getting going, and soon emerged as a major threat to the dueling leaders as Matareya had a tougher time than expected putting away Hot Peppers. The three came together at the sixteenth pole, but the contact was inconsequential, as Chi Town Lady had built up a full head of steam by then and kicked clear late, giving Rosario back-to-back graded wins on the card. A brief inquiry was posted, but no action was taken.

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