In a rematch of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), Kentucky-bred Randomized turned the tables on Idiomatic on Saturday, fending off the latter’s late charge to win the $500,000 Ogden Phipps S. (G1) during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The 56th running of the Ogden Phipps offered a “Win and You’re In” berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) in November at Del Mar.
Sent to the lead by jockey Joel Rosario, Randomized was never headed in the 1 1/8-mile fixture. The Nyquist filly responded to Rosario’s urging leaving the far turn, setting up a thrilling stretch drive. Idiomatic ranged up alongside her rival but could not push by, with Randomized scoring by a head at the finish. She covered the distance in 1:49.58.
“She’s quick out of the gate,” said Rosario of the winner. “She maintained the speed, so that was good. I was begging for the wire because that horse [Idiomatic] was coming. I was sweating a little bit, but she got the job done.”
Owned by Klaravich Stables and trained by Chad Brown, Randomized achieved millionaire status with the win, and now boasts a bankroll of $1,258,350. Randomized was bred in Kentucky by Cove Springs LLC.
“She looked like she was the horse she wanted to be, on the lead and at Saratoga where she had her biggest win (in the Alabama),” Brown shared. “These two were going at it in the Breeders’ Cup last year and we came out on the wrong side of that one. Idiomatic is a deserving champion. She’s an outstanding horse. I think we were very fortunate to save more ground than her.”