Winless since October of his juvenile year, Governor Sam (Improbable) finally broke out of his slump with a smart effort in the GIII Quick Call Stakes at Saratoga.
The George Weaver charge managed to string together four victories in a row last season, and begrudgingly faded to third Nov. 1 at Del Mar in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint to wrap that campaign. Back in action Apr. 30 at Churchill Downs for his 3-year-old bow in the William Walker Stakes, Governor Sam again faded to third behind SW Bridle a Butterfly (Country House) and GSP Out On Bail (Tiz the Law). He similarly faded in an allowance dash at that venue last out June 6 when it came off the turf, failing to outkick SW Dreamaway (Flameaway) for the lead and finishing fourth.
Outrun by his lightly-raced stablemate SP Ortley Avenue (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) for the frontrunning spot, the 3-5 favorite was content to watch the situation unfold from third behind an opening quarter in :21.71 and was traveling comfortably as the field went into the bend. Moved to the outside as Supersonic Blue (Air Force Blue) joined the pacesetter up front as they arrived at the head of affairs, the eventual winner needed little urging from Irad Ortiz Jr. before he inhaled his inner rivals and kicked away to score stylishly by open lengths. Ortley Avenue held on to second to give Weaver the exacta while No Evidence (Vekoma) had to settle for third in a photo when his rally up the fence came short. The final time was 1:02.68.
“[Irad Ortiz, Jr.] breezed him the other day and I was talking to him then and told him, '[Governor Sam] don't have to have the lead' and he said, 'oh, he's going to be on the lead',” said Weaver. “I told him in the paddock, 'if he doesn't break, if something happens at the start where he doesn't break and put you there, you don't have to hustle him to the lead. He won from off the pace at Monmouth.”
“A lot of people we're saying maybe he didn't come back as good and that's a legitimate thing. Two-year-old racing is like high school athletics, 3-year-old is like college, and the older horses are pros. Some horses don't make that transition, but everything he was telling me [said] he had–he was bigger, stronger and he's been doing really well. I think just the third race of the form cycle [helped.] He's a big, heavy horse and he really produced a big effort today.”
When asked about a potential start in the GIII Mahony Stakes Aug. 10, Weaver replied, “That's the logical spot. He likes it [here]. I would probably vote for that. I'll talk with Alex [Bregman, co-owner]. At some point we want to maybe put him in a position to run in the Breeders' Cup against older. He'll have to keep stepping it up, but he's a good turf sprinter and today we learned he doesn't need the lead, so we're excited.
GOVERNOR SAM easily wins the Grade 3 Quick Call Stakes presented by @trfinc under @iradortiz for trainer George Weaver. Congratulations to co-owner @ABREG_1 and connections! pic.twitter.com/1P0KyYjWo0
— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) July 13, 2025
Pedigree Note
Governor Sam is his dam's second graded winner behind MGSW Pin Up Betty (Constitution). They have a juvenile half-sister named Supercollide (City of Light) who is the last registered offspring for I'm Betty G thus far after her 2024 Jackie's Warrior foal was stillborn and she came up barren in 2025 after a return trip to Constitution. This is the immediate female family of SW & GSP Sadler's Sarah (Wayne County {Ire}) and the extended one of GSP Royal Asscher (Tale of Ekati).
Sunday, Saratoga
QUICK CALL S. PRESENTED BY THE THOROUGHBRED RETIREMENT FOUNDATION-GIII, $175,000, Saratoga, 7-13, 3yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:02.68, gd.
1–GOVERNOR SAM, 120, c, 3, by Improbable
1st Dam: I'm Betty G (MSW & MGSP, $353,100), by Into Mischief
2nd Dam: Lady in Ermine, by Honour and Glory
3rd Dam: Lucky Lady Sarah, by Polish Numbers
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($50,000 Ylg '23 FTKOCT; $275,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Bregman Family Racing LLC and Swinbank Stables, LLC; B-Stoneriggs Farm (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $96,250. Lifetime Record: GISP, 9-5-0-2, $562,598. *1/2 to Pin Up Betty (Constitution), MGSW, $880,427. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ortley Avenue (Ire), 120, c, 3, Bungle Inthejungle (GB)–Titian Saga (Ire), by Titus Livius (Fr). 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. (€100,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR; $90,000 2yo '24 FTKHRA). O-Bona Venture Stables; B-Newlands House Stud (IRE); T-George Weaver. $35,000.
3–No Evidence, 120, c, 3, Vekoma–Hidden Facts, by The Factor. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($100,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $225,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $325,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, R. A. Hill Stable and Brandon M. Dalinka; B-Haymarket Farm LLC (KY); T-Miguel Clement. $21,000.
Margins: 3HF, HF, NO. Odds: 0.75, 15.50, 6.00.
Also Ran: Insubordination (Ire), Jet Sweep Joe, Supersonic Blue. Scratched: Grayscale, Soontobeking.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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