Bank Merger won the first main track race of the 2010 meet at Saratoga, scoring by 1 1/4-lengths in a 6 1/2-furlong sprint. The 3-year-old colt is from the first crop of Consolidator, who stands at Journeyman Stud. He currently ranks second on Florida's second-crop sire list.

Steady rains rendered the track sloppy for the July 23 opener. Bank Merger got away awkwardly and had to settle in sixth for the first half-mile. To avoid traffic, Alan Garcia had to ride him wide around the turn, but the bay advanced steadily, picking off horses one by one. He took the lead just inside the final furlong to win eased up as much the best.

Bank Merger completed the 6-1/2 panels in an excellent 1:16.33, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 97. The Darley homebred is now 2-for-2 lifetime, earning $54,000. He broke his maiden last August at Monmouth Park and is conditioned by Kiaran McLaughlin.

Consolidator is represented by a pair of 2010 stakes winners, Correct Call and Mr Consolidator, and 30 winners overall for the year.