Perfect Alibi bounced back from a narrow defeat in the Astoria S. to win Sunday’s $200,000 Adirondack S. (G2) at Saratoga in another gritty performance, besting odds-on favorite Frank’s Rockette by a half-length.
A dominating 9 1/2-length winner of her May 16 debut at Churchhill Downs, she came up just three-quarters of a length short to Strong Mandate’s Maryanorginger in the Astoria and now has won two of three starts and earned $188,488.
In between and behind horses for the first half-mile, Perfect Alibi was boxed in coming into the stretch. With about a furlong to run, Irad Ortiz, Jr. found a narrow opening and gamely split horses, then surged past Magic Dance and outran Frank’s Rockette late to secure the win.
“I had a good trip. I broke running because she’s that kind of filly. She has a nice stride,” said Ortiz. “I got a good position on the turn and I just had my hands down and relaxed. Turning for home, I just waited. They didn’t keep a straight [path], so I got through in between the horses and she responded really well. (Trainer) Mark (Casse) is the type of trainer that doesn’t put too much pressure on you, so I just had to be patient and ride her with confidence. I think she’s learning race by race. She’s going to get better down the road.”
Perfect Alibi is owned by Tracy Farmer and was bred in Kentucky by Pin Oak Stud LLC. She sold for $220,000 to Farmer at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton Select Saratoga Yearling sale.
Pedigree Notes from the TDN:
Perfect Alibi is the 67th stakes winner and 25th graded stakes winner for Sky Mesa. She is the fifth foal to race out of SW No Use Denying, who produced a filly by Flatter Feb. 3 before being bred to Carpe Diem. Second dam Rumors Are Flying is a half-sister to GISW Missed the Storm (Storm Cat) and MGSW Green Means Go (Green Dancer), while third dam Missed the Wedding is a half to champion Chris Evert (Swoon’s Son).
