Raging Torrent (USA) (Maximus Mischief (USA)) continued his ascent with a powerful, 2.5 length victory over heavily favoured Fierceness (USA) (City of Light (USA)) in the ‘Win and You’re In’ Gr.1 Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga. Just a Touch (USA) (Justify (USA)) held third over second-choice White Abarrio (USA) (Race Day (USA)).
“(Winning the Met Mile) is something that I never dreamt of just because it seems so far-fetched, but a horse like Raging Torrent is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime kind of horse,” winning trainer Doug O’Neill said. “He’s got speed. He’s got stamina. He’s got class. He has no problem shipping and it’s just a wonderful feeling.”
Overlooked at odds of 8-1 following wins in the Gr.1 Malibu S. at Santa Anita Dec. 26 and the Gr.2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan Apr. 5, the Yuesheng Zhang and Craig Dado colourbearer cleared the field of five from his outside draw beneath Frankie Dettori over the sloppy and sealed going.
“He’s been in great form,” O’Neill said. “We intentionally gave him that time off after the Malibu and were shooting for the Godolphin Mile after that. Usually when you make a plan, God laughs, especially in this business, but Raging Torrent is just one of those unique horses who you can make a plan (for) and he comes through and does it. Incredible.
“If he comes out of it good, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile will be a logical goal and maybe a race between now and then. The plan is to take him to California on Tuesday and play it by ear.”
Raging Torrent is one of three graded winners and the lone top-level winner for Maximus Mischief, a Spendthrift-based son of Into Mischief (USA). He is the only starter from his winning dam Violent Wave (USA) (Violence (USA)).
Written for TTRAusNZ
