Trainer Gary Sherlock had one thing in mind when he brought Intangaroo from California to Saratoga Race Course: setting her up for year-end honors.

Sunday, the 4-year-old filly came through for the third time in as many Grade 1 starts this year, rallying six-wide around the turn and pulling clear to a 2 ¾-length victory over Miraculous Miss in the 30th running of the $250,000 Ballerina. Favored Sugar Swirl was another three parts of a length back in third.

With the Santa Monica Handicap and the Humana Distaff already on her resume, Intangaroo now heads into the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita on Friday October 24 with a guaranteed berth in Filly & Mare Sprint – the Ballerina was part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” challenge -- and the divisional title in her sights.

“You just saw why we came to Saratoga,” said winning trainer Gary Sherlock. “This was a national stage; if we could win this it was three Grade 1 wins and she would be looking good for the Eclipse Award.”

The daughter of Orientate, ridden by Alonso Quinonez, was content to linger toward the back in the field of eight fillies and mares as Mistical Plan set fractions of 22.30 and 44.88. On the turn, Quinonez took her to the outside and responded with a strong late kick that carried her to the wire in 1:22.18.

“She relaxes pretty good when she is behind horses; when she is not, she wants to go,” said Quinonez, now 1-for-1 at the Spa. “When we turned for home, we angled to the outside and took off.”

Completing the order of finish behind Sugar Swirl were Leah’s Secret, Jibboom, Mistical Plan, Baroness Thatcher, and Bayou’s Lassie.

Sherlock, who trains Intangaroo for Tom Grether Farm, said she would train up to the Filly & Mare Sprint.

Intangaroo earned $150,000 to increase her lifetime earnings to $623,231 and her record to five victories in 13 starts. Sent off at 5-1, she returned $12.20 for a $2 win bet.

Lady Rizzi Sets Mellon Course Record

Lady Rizzi set the Mellon Turf Course record of 1:00.66 for five and a half furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Sunday afternoon, winning the seventh race by three lengths over entrymate Myakka in the allowance/optional claiming event for New York-bred fillies and mares.

The previous record of 1:01.11 was set by Second in Command – who was once trained by Rice -- in the Troy Stakes on August 14, 2006.

“I set the course record? Are you sure the gate was set in the right spot?,” Rice quipped.

With the portable rails down, Sort of Trick exploded to the lead with a 21.07 first quarter-mile. She went the half-mile in 43.24 seconds, setting up Lady Rizzi’s finish.

“I didn’t expect the pace to be as quick as it was,” Rice said. “We were going to put Myakka on the pace and have Lady Rizzi sit behind the speed. When the first fraction was put up, I thought we were in pretty good shape.”

Owned by John Donato and ridden by Cornelio Velasquez, Lady Rizzi is a five-year-old daughter of Rizzi. Her victory was worth $9.30 to the $2 win players.

This has turned out to be a meet of milestones for Rice, who on August 18 saddled the first four finishers of the Mechanicville Stakes – Ahvee’s Destiny, Canadian Ballet, Silver Timber and Karakorum Elektra.