SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Though his horse went postward the 6-5 favorite, even trainer Chad Brown wasn’t sure how Public Sector would fare when hooking up with his chief challenger Never Surprised on Saturday at Saratoga in the $200,000 Saranac.  But in the end, Brown need not have doubted his blossoming turf star after Public Sector wore down and ultimately edged clear of pacesetting Never Surprised to register a one-length victory in the Grade 3 fixture for 3-year-olds on the turf. Public Sector, who rallied to capture the Grade 2 Hall of Fame by a similar one-length margin four weeks earlier, benefited from a perfectly judged ride by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. Rating mid-pack while saving ground for over six furlongs, Public Sector swung wide commencing his bid into the stretch, joined the leader a furlong from home, and gradually proved clearly best. :: DRF’s Labor Day Sale: Save big on DRF Formulator Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and DRF+ Pro. Limited time only. Never Surprised, sent postward the solid 8-5 second choice despite making his first start since finishing second as the odds-on favorite in the Grade 3 Kitten’s Joy at Gulfstream Park eight months ago, controlled the pace from the outset under Luis Saez. He eventually disposed of early pursuer Like the King upon entering the stretch, dug in bravely when Public Sector drew alongside at that point, and succumbing grudgingly to the favorite. Like the King finished another length further back in third followed by He’spuregold, Founder, and Mohs. Public Sector, an English bred son of Kingman owned by Klaravich Stables, paid $4.40 after completing a mile and one-sixteenth in 1:41.78 over firm going and earning an 89 Beyer Speed Figure. “I knew he [Public Sector] came into the race as the favorite and all but [Never Surprised] is the best horse he’s faced except for the Breeders’ Cup and he wasn’t right that day,” said Brown. “I was as curious as anyone to see how he’d kick on when he squared up with that horse in the stretch. “Of course we had the benefit of some race fitness. I’m sure [Never Surprised] will get a lot out of the race and that we haven’t seen the last of him. But I’m so proud of my horse and the trip Irad was able to execute.” Brown said the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby could be the ultimate goal this season for Public Sector. “The Hollywood Derby is definitely something we’ll look towards, although it’s far away and he’ll have to run one more time. I’m not exactly sure which race yet,” said Brown. “As he matures he should stretch out a little bit and I wouldn’t be afraid of a mile and one-eighth in the Hollywood Derby, although that’s as far as we’ll go with him this year. After that, we’ll see.”