SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Hidden Path, trained by Ricky Hendriks, went from last to first to win the $70,000 Allowance Hurdle at Saratoga on Wednesday, July 30.

Hidden Path, ridden by Conor Tierney, drew off in the stretch to win at Saratoga (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Upland Flats Racing and ridden by Conor Tierney, Hidden Path won by 1 3/4 lengths over St. James the Great, trained by Keri Brrion, with Brie's Mission, trained by Kathy Neilson, third.

Hidden Path was last for most of the race, moving up through the field of nine starters towards the end of the backstretch, hooking up with the favorite, St.James the Great, on the final turn and taking the lead a furlong from the finish.

"He's a very nice horse," said Hendriks. "We gave him the spring off because we campaigned him pretty hard last year. Conor gave him a wonderful ride."

He said he hadn't expected Hidden Path to be that far back

"Conor said.`Ricky will tell me I had him too far back,'" said Hendriks.

He said they hadn't decided where Hidden Patch will run next.

 

"I'M HAVING dinner with the owners tonight, and we'll figure that out," said Hendriks.

Hidden Path ran seven times on the flat as a 3-year-old with  two wins, one in an allowance race at Churchill Downs.

After being acquired by Upland Flats Racing, Hidden Path won his second start over fences at Foxfield and placed second twice and third once in stakes as a 4-year-old last year.

After a prep flat race at Delaware Park on July 4, this was his first start over fences this year.