Saratoga Maidens, presented by KeenelandThe public had a hard time deciding between High Official (Not This Time) and Geneva Lake (Life Is Good) in the wagering, but it was the former who sailed home to post a smart score at first-asking in New York.Leaving the blocks carrying 5-2 second favoritism by the smallest amount, the Todd Pletcher-trainee settled in fourth as that betting choice posted the opening fractions in :23.79 and a half-mile in :49.30 on an uncontested lead. Losing some ground on the far bend behind six panels in 1:14.69, but steadily improving as they swung for home, High Official rallied from five off the fence and was in command with a sixteenth left to run. Harbaugh (Not This Time), who had overtaken Geneva Lake for the lead turning for home, tried to mount a response but was a well-beaten second. The favorite faded in the lane to finish seventh.A son of multiple graded winner Sweet Melania (American Pharoah), who also ran third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, High Official is the first to the races for his accomplished dam. His yearling half-brother by Curlin is the most recent offspring for the mare, who was bred back to Not This Time for 2027. makes powerful strides to take the W for jockey Flavien Prat and trainer Todd Pletcher. pic.twitter.com/AGuWq8qIs5— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 26, 2026Sweet Melania was purchased by owner/breeders Robert and Lawana Low in 2018 as a Keeneland September yearling for $600,000. As a daughter of SW & GSP Sweet N Discreet (Discreet Cat), it makes her a full-sister to MSW Sweet Rebecca, who won the Wasted Tears Stakes last month at Lone Star Park.A half-sister to this pair is the mother of MGSP Noble Confessor (Quality Road), who has a victory at Keeneland and a game runner-up effort beneath the Twin Spires, both at the allowance level, to his credit this year. This is the immediate female family of GSW Travelin Man (Trippi) and GSW & GISP Discreet Dancer (Discreet Cat).1st-Saratoga, $115,000, Msw, 7-26, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.66, fm, 2 lengths.HIGH OFFICIAL (c, 2, Not This Time–Sweet Melania {MGSW & GISP, $576,210}, by American Pharoah) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $63,250. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.O/B-Robert E. & Lawana L. Low (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.The post Not This Time’s High Official Closes Well Late to Secure Debut Win at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.