Hook and Ladder’s Bernie’s Pal Goes Gate-to-Wire to Win Spa MSW by 2¼ Lengths

Going gate-to-wire as the favorite among nine starters, Preferred Pals Stable’s BERNIE’S PAL won a 5½-furlong Saratoga maiden special by 2¼ lengths on Monday, July 26, becoming the 95th winner from four crops of racing age sired by HOOK AND LADDER and that stallion’s 31st winner of 2010. The 3-year-old filly is no slouch in the quickness department, running her opening quarter-mile in 22.46 and setting a five-furlong fraction of 57.73 en route to a winning time of 1:04.26. She helped maintain Hook and Ladder’ percentage of winners from starters to stay well within the 70s percentile bracket.