Go For Gin Fizzles; American Chance Wins

Go For Gin’s return to racing Wednesday at Saratoga was short, but not sweet.

The Kentucky Derby winner’s third-place finish in the seven-furlong Forego Handicap, however, was a useful prep for his fall campaign, which will include the 1 1/8-mile Woodward and the Jockey Club Gold Cup and Breeders’ Cup Classic, each at 1 1/4 miles.

American Chance, scoring his first stakes victory of the year, took the lead from pace-setting Evil Bear with a little more than a sixteenth of a mile remaining and won by one length. Go For Gin finished three-quarters of a length behind Evil Bear.

Go For Gin went off as the 9-5 second choice to 8-5 Virginia Rapids in his first start against older horses and his first race since finishing second to Tabasco Cat in the Belmont Stakes June 11. He also finished second to Tabasco Cat in the Preakness.

It also was the first time Go For Gin has raced at less than a mile since finishing fifth in a six-furlong maiden race in the first start of his 13-race career in September at Belmont Park and was the first time he has raced at less than 1 1/8 miles in his last six starts.

“He finished up real well, but I’m disappointed that we didn’t win,” said Chris McCarron, Go For Gin’s jockey. “But he seemed to come out very well.”

Said trainer Nick Zito: “I just wanted a clean trip. This horse should have won today. I have to ask McCarron about that. He came fast through the lane, and the Woodward still is next for him.”

American Chance, ridden by Pat Day, the rider of Tabasco Cat, raced the distance in 1:22 3/5 under 117 pounds. Evil Bear, 114, was ridden by Carlos Lopez.