9 of 10
Second place finisher First Defence
Second place finisher First Defence in the paddock before the 2008 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga
© Cindy Pierson Dulay
The 3-1 third choice was well placed along the rail in third under regular rider Javier Castellano, passing the tiring pacesetter Sammarco late but was no match for the winner, beaten 2 1/2 lengths at the line. The Bobby Frankel trainee improved his record to 5 wins, 3 seconds, and 0 thirds in 11 starts, earning $426,534 for owner-breeder Juddmonte Farms.