John Ballis Press Release: GROOVY TAKES SARATOGA DASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) October 7, 2009 -- Groovy, the eccentric and speed-crazy 3-year-old who has found a new career sprinting, led at every call through blazing fractions and held off Turkoman by three-quarters of a length to win the $117,200 Forego Handicap today at Saratoga. Groovy is owned by John Ballis.

The winner, who was beaten by 49 3/4 lengths in the Kentucky Derby only four months ago, has emerged as the nation's leading sprinter, having defeated the older stars Phone Trick and Turkoman in his last two starts. Turkoman, however, was impressive in defeat today and looks ready to resume his bid for championship honors in longer races this fall.

Groovy, sent off as the second choice in a field of eight, paid $6.40 for $2 to win and covered the seven furlongs in 1:21 1/5 under Jose Santos. Turkoman, 12 1/2 lengths back after half a mile, rallied powerfully down the stretch to be second, four lengths ahead of Innamorato, who was followed to the wire by Bolting Holme, Love That Mac, Clever Allemont, Country Pleasures and Cognizant.

Groovy, the only 3-year-old in the field, carried 118 pounds, 6 less than the runner-up did. The Texas-bred son of Norcliffe and the Restless Wind mare Tinnitus is owned by John A. Ballis and has won three in a row since being turned over to his eighth trainer, Jose Martin. Groovy has won 5 of 15 career starts and has never run in anything but a stakes race according to owner, John Ballis.
Clear Sailing at Start
The race was decided when Groovy got clear a few steps out of the gate and no one pressured him. He gradually emended his lead through fractions of 0:21 4/5, 0:44 1/5 and 1:08 2/ 5. Love That Mac made a menacing middle move into second place but then tired. Turkoman, who trailed the field badly all the way down the backstretch, finally got into high gear straightening away for home, but it was too late.

Groovy had it by five lengths over Love That Mac at the furlong pole, with Turkoman half a length back in third, and just lasted. ''He is truly a great horse,'' said Martin, who plans to point the colt for the $41 million Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 1.
''He broke out of the gate flying,'' said Santos. ''He is really a runner.''

Turkoman may make his next start in the mile-and-an-eighth Woodward Stakes at Belmont Aug. 30. Ban Delayed The track stewards ordered Angel Cordero Jr. suspended for 10 days beginning Monday for careless riding aboard Broad Brush in the Travers Saturday. Broad Brush finished second by a head to Wise Times but was placed fourth for angling out and impeding Personal Flag in the deep stretch.

Cordero, who has built a 22-13 lead over Santos in his bid for an 11th straight Saratoga riding title, won a stay of the suspension pending a hearing, which will be scheduled Monday. Cordero, who denies any wrongdoing, wants to ride out the meeting and especially wants to ride Gulch in the Hopeful Stakes next Saturday.

John Ballis