Foul sends Treasure Beach gelding into Spa winner’s circle

Treasure Beach gained his sixth winner of 2017 at Saratoga yesterday when Paradise Island was awarded first place via disqualification after a thrilling stretch battle with fellow Florida-bred Empirically. Leaving from the rail, jockey Manny Franco settled the gelding into third place, tracking the leaders along the inside down the backstretch in the $83,000 maiden special at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Turning for home, he swung Paradise Island to the outside of the pacesetter at the same time that Empirically was slipping through on the rail. The two longshots raced head-and-head in a furious run to the wire, however, Empirically began to bear out, impeding Paradise Island twice. The gelding wound up second in a photo, but the stewards immediately flashed the inquiry sign and wasted little time reversing the numbers. The final clocking was an excellent 1:41.42.

Paradise Island’s successful debut was worth $49,800 for owner/breeder Debora C. Morgan, and raised Treasure Beach’s progeny earnings to $264,272, good for seventh place on the national freshman sire list.