SARATOGA SPRINGS – Rain started falling right after the fifth race and the main track was sealed. Then the skies really opened up right before seventh.

2ND RACE – There was a fierce speed duel between 9-5 favorite Maytown (Cornelio Velasquez) along rail and 7-1 Swift Attraction (Pat Day) to his outside. Maytown won the battle, putting away Swift Attraction midstetch and drawing clear, but lost the war, as Swift Attraction – to the amazement of all observers – came again to catch weary Maytown and win going away for D. Wayne Lukas. Credit “Patient Pat’s” perseverance and winner’s pedigree – he’s by Storm Cat, out of champion filly Golden Attraction – for improbable victory. Ocotillo, second four times in six starts going into the race, was faint-hearted again, flattening out to be fourth.

4TH RACE – Impressive debut for Todd Pletcher’s 2-year-old Proud Accolade, $450,000 son of Yes It’s True with John Velazquez up. Proud Accolade rushed up rail to duel for lead down backside, drew clear into turn, beat back challenge from Belarion turning for home, then drew off with ease. His entrymate, More Than Somewhat, a 475G first-time starter by Lemon Drop Kid, made nice late run for second.

6TH RACE – Even though Lukas’ Puget Sound lost last two races by 14 lengths each, Day always has horse left for stretch. So when Puget Sound opened up dozen lengths down backside and still led by daylight with furlong to run, it seemed he’d hold on. Of the horses trying to catch him, only Sir Walter Rahy succeeded, coming with bold late rush under Javier Castellano. Puget Sound was vanned off after race.