SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Damon’s Mound validated his spectacular maiden victory last month at Churchill Downs with a solid 3 1/4-length victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $186,000 Saratoga Special. In a four-horse field, Damon’s Mound, under Gabriel Saez, sat fourth behind a three-ply speed duel before following 2-5 favorite Gulfport around the far turn. Approaching the quarter pole, Gulfport steadied sharply under Joel Rosario, while Damon’s Mound was going past him. Though Damon’s Mound needed help to change to his correct lead in the stretch, he pulled away once he did. Meanwhile, 2-5 favorite Gulfport persevered to finish second by seven lengths over Super Chow. It was 11 lengths back to Valenzan Day. Owen’s Leap scratched due to a temperature, according to his trainer Tom Amoss. There was some confusion after the race as Rosario said he asked the stewards to look at what occurred at the quarter pole. There was no announcement to the public of an inquiry, much to the chagin of trainer Steve Asmussen, who, after the race went official, called the stewards to ask why the inquiry sign wasn’t hung. Asmussen said the stewards told him they were asked to look at the incident at the quarter pole and they did. :: DRF's Saratoga headquarters – Stakes schedule, previews, recaps, past performances, and more Rosario confirmed that he did not officially lodge an objection. Rosario said he wasn’t sure if it was Damon’s Mound on the outside or Super Chow, under Luis Saez from the inside, who caused him to check. After looking at the replay, Rosario said, “it looked like the inside [Super Chow] came out more,” Rosario said. Gabriel Saez, aboard Damon’s Mound, said he was going by Gulfport at the same time Gulfport was checking but he was confident his horse had nothing to do with the incident. “When I went by Joel it seemed like Luis squeezed him a little bit and then at the same time I’m going by him,” he said. “It got a little close, but I gave him the room that I had to give him. I knew he checked a little bit, but I was gone.” Trainer Michelle Lovell said she grew concerned momentarily when she saw Gulfport check, but then her concern turned to awe of her horse when she saw Damon’s Mound draw away for the authoritative win. “It scared me obviously for [Gulfport] and for the reason I didn’t know if we had anything to do with it, so I was a little bit stunned with that, but then we won off easy,” Lovell said. “I wouldn’t think we would cause any trouble, it just took a minute to figure it out.” Lovell said Damon’s Mound got the exact trip she envisioned. :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports from Mike Welsch and the Clocker Team. Available every race day.   “That’s exactly what I had in my mind, how it worked out I don’t know,” said Lovell, who was running her first horse here as a trainer. Lovell said she came here from Virginia quite confident Damon’s Mound would validate his 12 1/2-length maiden victory at Churchill Downs on July 2. “I knew he’d run his race, I was pretty sure he’d step forward, he’d done everything perfect, there would be no reason for regression,” Lovell said. “I’m just so proud of him.” Damon’s Mound, a son of Girvin owned and bred by Cliff and Michele Love, covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.94 and returned $5.70 as the second choice. Damon's Mound was given an 86 Beyer Speed Figure. Lovell said Damon’s Mound would return to her stable at Colonial Downs by Monday and would stay there while she plots out the colt’s next start, which could possibly come in the Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on Sept. 17.