SARATOGA SPRINGS – Stop the presses! They ran a stakes race for 2-year-olds yesterday at the Old Spa, and Todd Pletcher didn’t saddle the winner.

After taking the Sanford, Schuylerville and Adirondack so far at the meet, Pletcher settled for second in yesterday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special, as his newly acquired colt King of the Roxy settled for second, beaten three-quarters of a length by Chace City, the 2-1 favorite in a field of six.

After winning his first two starts, including the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine, like breaking sticks, Chace City had a nightmare getaway in his previous start, the July 8 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs. After being cut off at the break, Chace City leaped in the air like a kangaroo, was so far back he wasn’t even on the TV screen, then made a big move to within five lengths of the lead before flattening out late.

In the 101st running of the Saratoga Special, Chace City had much better luck, especially after the speedball Teuflesberg stumbled badly at the start. Away smartly under new rider Edgar Prado, Chace City dueled for the lead through quick splits (:22.1, :45.2) with 18-1 Actin, put him away turning for home, opened up in mid-stretch, then easily held King of the Roxy safe in the final yards.

Chace City ran the 6½ furlongs to pay $6.30 topping a $24.60 exacta.