The $500,000 Personal Ensign (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 26, was billed as a showdown between Nest and Clairiere. In the end, however, it was Juddmonte’s Kentucky-bred Idiomatic who surprised the two favorites with a front-running victory in the 76th running of the Grade 1 event.
Idiomatic broke sharply from the rail and took command of the Personal Ensign early. She extended her lead to 1 ½ lengths through a half-mile in :48.84 with Nest looming to the outside. Rounding the far turn, jockey Florent Geroux and Idiomatic maintained a one-length advantage as Secret Oath and Nest pursued.
There was no catching Idiomatic on this day. She strolled home a comfortable four-length winner in a final time of 1:49.12 over the sloppy, sealed track. Fellow Kentucky-bred Secret Oath finished second, a neck in front of Kentucky-bred Nest.
With the victory, Idiomatic, who has now won over four different racetracks, thrust herself into the picture in the older filly division for trainer Brad Cox.
“It’s huge. They’re champions,” said Cox on defeating Nest and Clairiere. “They’ve accomplished so much and they’re still in good form. I’m very proud of her to win by a few lengths there. Big race, and I’m very proud of her.
Cox indicated that the Juddmonte Spinster S. (G1) at Keeneland on Oct. 8 is a possibility for Idiomatic’s next start with the ultimate objective being the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) in November at Santa Anita.
Kentucky-bred Idiomatic, a 4-year-old daughter of Curlin, became a millionaire with the Personal Ensign score. She has now banked $1,049,490 in her career for Juddmonte. The Kentucky homebred is out of the 2017 Kentucky Oaks (G1) third-place finisher Lockdown, by First Defence.
The Personal Ensign honors the undefeated Hall of Fame distaffer, who never lost in 13 lifetime starts for Ogden Phipps and Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey.