Englishman flew once again on the Saratoga dirt and now sets his sights on the Breeders’ Cup

The Cherie DeVaux-trained colt wire-to-wired the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1), once again coming close to the 1,400-meter track record and cementing his position as the top 3-year-old sprinter

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Englishman did what he does best once again: run fast, extremely fast. The C R K Stable colt reasserted his status as the premier 3-year-old sprinter in the United States by powering to a 3 3/4-length victory in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1-1,400 m, $500,000), one of the major highlights on the spectacular Travers Stakes (G1) card at Saratoga.

The son of Maxfield made top-echelon company look routine once more, earning his second consecutive G1 triumph after capturing the Woody Stephens (G1) over the same 1,400-meter course at the New York venue back in June.

He even flirted with the track record again, stopping the clock in 1m20s71/100—just off the 1m20s40/100 mark he set when winning the Woody Stephens, which equaled the historic track record set by Darby Creek Road (Roberto).

José Ortiz, who has been aboard Englishman for all five of his career starts, kept things straightforward. The moment the gates opened, his mount broke sharply and quickly established separation from his four rivals, posting an opening quarter-mile in 23s01/100 with Deep Flame (Into Mischief) tracking in second, while Stickupwithoutagun(McKinzie), Local Knowledge (Yaupon), and Amberjack (Complexity) trailed further back.

“When a horse is as fast as he is, you always get a little nervous, especially when everybody is coming after you,” explained Cherie DeVaux. “He breaks so quickly and creates separation so fast that it’s hard for anyone to challenge him early. I think that’s one of his greatest strengths.”

Deep Flame tried to press as Englishman passed the half-mile in 45s50/100, but Ortiz remained virtually motionless. Approaching the final turn, the favorite was cruising with complete composure, leaving little doubt about the outcome long before the wire.

In the stretch, Deep Flame attempted to mount a challenge, but Englishman responded instantly to re-establish control. Ortiz barely had to ask for an extra gear to lock up another decisive victory.

“There’s always that fear that he might break poorly or stumble, but he broke cleanly and I was able to relax him,” the jockey noted. “Last time we went the half-mile in 43s97/100, whereas today, with a smaller field, I was able to let him travel comfortably. To deliver back-to-back performances like this at Saratoga is extraordinary. I think he’s a very, very talented horse.”

Deep Flame held on for second, finishing 7 3/4 lengths ahead of Local Knowledge in third, with Stickupwithoutagunand Amberjack completing the short field.

Englishman now boasts four wins from five starts, with his sole setback coming when finishing second to Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) in the Pat Day Mile (G2). He thoroughly avenged that loss in the Woody Stephens by a 5 3/4-length margin, and has now reaffirmed that 1,400 meters is his ideal distance.

An $400,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, Englishman is by Maxfield out of In It for the Gold, by Speightstown, and each dominant performance significantly enhances his future stallion value.

While his natural speed is exceptional, DeVaux credited Ortiz with helping the colt mature into a elite performer.

“José has been instrumental in his development, particularly in managing him during races. In morning workouts he’s very straightforward, but José did a fantastic job refining him into a top-level horse,” the trainer added.

The next major target looms large on the calendar: the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on October 31 at Keeneland. DeVaux has not yet decided whether Englishman will train straight up to that event or take in a prep race first, opting to evaluate how he exits this effort before making a final decision.

There seems to be little left for Englishman to prove against his division. At Saratoga, he once again ran against both the clock and his rivals.

And he beat them both again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqY_GQUeB_0