Northern Afleet colt wins $100K Alydar S. in dirt debut

Vitoria Olimpica, a Grade 1 winner on the turf in his native Brazil, proved equally adept on the dirt Thursday at Saratoga, as the 4-year-old Northern Afleet colt made his dirt debut a winning one in the $100,000 Alydar S. at Saratoga (VIDEO). He is the ninth stakes winner this year for the Taylor Made stallion.

Making just his second start in the United States, the TNT Stud homebred showed plenty of grit in nine furlong affair. Kept in the clear in the three path for the better part of the trip, John Velazquez had the chestnut only a length off the lead down the backside. With an even wider move on the final turn, Vitoria Olimpica made his bid for the lead coming into the straightaway.

After being headed briefly in mid-stretch, the Todd Pletcher trainee dug in to hit the wire three-quarters of a length in front of favorite Easter Gift. The final time was a solid 1:49.10 on a fast track.

Vitoria Olimpica is out of Magic Rafaela (BRZ), whose siblings include Out of Control (BRZ), winner of the Oak Tree Mile (G2) and American Invitational H. (G2). Vitoria Olimpica has now amassed $147,807 in earnings from a mark of 4-0-2 in eight starts.

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Northern Afleet colt wins $100K Alydar S. in dirt debut