BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC’s Federal Judge dominated his rivals to win a second condition, $62,500 optional claiming by six lengths at Saratoga Race Course Saturday, taking home the winner’s share of the $115,000 contest. Trained by Brad Cox, the 4-year-old gelding was in front at every pole while easily defeating five rivals going six-and-a-half furlongs in 1:16.71.
Jockey Manny Franco hustled Federal Judge from post three and sprinted to a clear advantage before repelling a challenge from Kendrick Carmouche on Light Man midway down the backstretch. Federal Judge increased his lead to two lengths while finishing the quarter mile in :22.12 before Accretive and Irad Ortiz Jr. momentarily moved up to his outside hip around the far turn.
Federal Judge shook off Accretive with ease through a half-mile in :45.07 then cruised down the stretch to win at odds of 4-5. Accretive was second, a length ahead of Light Man in third. Market Street, Pro Oxidant and Ocean’s Reserve completed the order of finish.
Federal Judge paid $3.80 to win while winning for the third time in five starts with one third.
Federal Judge showed promise from the start, winning a six-furlong maiden special weight by four-and-a-half lengths in his debut at Oaklawn Park on April 1 of last year. A month later he won a first condition, $100,000 optional claiming at Churchill Downs before finishing fourth in seven-furlong Woody Stephens (G1) won by Arabian Lion at Belmont Park in June of last year.
He was then away from the races for 11 months before returning on July 20 to finish second to Full Screen in a second condition, $62,500 optional claiming going seven furlongs at Saratoga prior to Saturday.
Federal Judge earned $63,500 and increased his career revenues to $221,610.
Bred in Florida by Richard Heysek’s Caperlane Farm, Federal Judge is by Army Mule out of Congarette, by Congaree.
He was consigned by Stuart Morris at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale where he was purchased by Enfuego Stables for $40,000. Six months later he sold for $200,000 to Maverick Racing at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale where he was consigned by Gainesway.
