Highland Falls loses little in defeat with G1 Whitney Stakes second

Highland Falls consolidated his position as one of North America’s top older horses with a valiant second to Sierra Leone in the G1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, 2 August.

The Curlin entire had posted a decisive win in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at the New York track in September but was making his first top-level appearance since disappointing behind Sierra Leone and Fierceness in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Smartly into his stride for Luis Saez, Highland Falls pressed for the early lead before settling in fourth after the first quarter-mile as Contrary Thinking and Mama’s Gold opened up a six-length advantage over the field.

Skippylongstocking moved up to take the lead as Contrary Thinking and Mama’s Gold fell back through the field turning in, with Fierceness and Highland Falls launching challenges of their own approaching the straight.

Fierceness swept into the lead at the top of the lane, although Highland Falls and Sierre Leone stayed on strongly toward the centre of the course to press the leader, alongside a rallying Skippylongstocking, as all four looked to hold chances entering the final furlong.

Highland Falls hit the front for a few strides over half a furlong out before Sierra Leone took control close home for a length verdict. The Brad Cox-trained runner kept on in second, hitting the line two lengths clear of third home Disarm.

Brad Cox said: “Highland Falls was having his second run off the layoff and I think, as long as he comes out of it in good order, he could move forward again. I think he’s moved forward as a five-year-old, just based off the way he has trained and the two races he has run. He obviously likes Saratoga, so we will regroup. I think it’s safe to say if all is well, we will probably look at the Jockey Club Gold Cup again.”