HorseRacingNation.com NewsWire

Head to Head: Journalism faces elders in Pacific Classic

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:38:58 GMT

Del Mar’s premiere event, the Grade 1, $1 million Pacific Classic, attracted an exciting field of eight. The second-ranked 3-year-old Journalism faces his elders for the first time, including multiple Grade 1 hero Fierceness and Nysos, who attempts to carry his speed beyond 1 1/16 miles.

The 1 1/4-mile contest offers a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will be contested at the same track. The last Pacific Classic hero to complete the double was the brilliant Flightline (2022).

The Pacific Classic is carded as Race 10 on Saturday’s 11-race card. Post time is 9:00 p.m. EDT.

We take a look at the field to figure out who will definitely have a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic gate two months from now.

Laurie	Ashley
1. Fierceness (3-1)
In his 4-year-old debut, Fierceness set a track record of 1:40.66 for 1 1/16 miles in Churchill’s Alysheba (G2). He placed second in the Met Mile (G1) then faded like a late summer tan in the Whitney (G1), checking in fifth. Todd Pletcher’s charge is a prima donna and needs everything to go his way to win. He likes to be near the front end, and contact with another horse ruins his day. Fierceness was on top of his game the last time he visited Del Mar but returns with dimmed luster. In his favor, he’ll get a ground-saving trip, but he has speed to his outside. Contender.	Trained by Todd Pletcher, Fierceness last was seen finishing fifth in the Whitney. For an otherwise consistent runner, it was his second career off-the-board finish. But Fierceness has a couple things going for him. He was second to Sierra Leone on this track in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, and he has a win at 10 furlongs. The Whitney was an anomaly, and Raging Torrent was a beast in the Met Mile. I also give kudos to Fierceness for running second in the slop in the Met Mile after blowing the Champagne (G1) on a similar surface. Regular rider John Velazquez has the mount. Contender.
2. Midnight Mammoth (12-1)
The long-winded Midnight Mammoth captured the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II (G3) at Del Mar last summer. That was his last glimpse of the winner’s circle until winning an optional claimer in April. In his last start, the Craig Dollase trainee kept his second-place position around the Santa Anita oval in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2), made Skippylongstocking work for the victory, and earned a career-best 107 Brisnet Speed Rating. Midnight Monmouth was beaten by only 3/4 length, and it was six lengths back to the rest of the field. He’s facing a tougher field and stretching out. Pass.	Trained by Craig Dollase, Midnight Mammoth enters off a runner-up effort in the Hollywood Gold Cup. Winner Skippylongstocking has raced twice since then and finished off the board both times, losing by a combined 52 lengths. Gold Cup third-place finisher Extensive also was third in the San Diego Handicap (G2). Dollase is 15% wins with a 38% in-the-money clip in graded stakes over the last five years and last won a graded stakes when Midnight Monmouth took the Cougar II in July 2024. Midnight Mammoth has hit the board in graded company only once this year. Regular rider Armando Ayuso has the mount. Pass.
3. Ultimate Gamble (20-1)
In his last start, the appropriately named Ultimate Gamble was all heart in an $80,000 optional claimer in a three-way fight to the wire with the eventual DQ’ed winner Arrothegreat and Lure Him In. The Mark Glatt trainee earned a career-best 100 Brisnet rating for his effort. Ultimate Gamble has never competed beyond 1 1/16 miles, and an optional-claiming event is a long way from Grade 1 competition. Pass.	Trained by Mark Glatt, the Pacific Classic will be Ultimate Gamble’s stakes debut. In his last start, he crossed the wire second behind Arrowthegreat, who was last in the San Diego Handicap (G2) but was elevated to first with the disqualification of that rival. His numbers have improved with each start this year, and he received a career second best 108 Equibase speed figure. Career-wise, Ultimate Gamble has been very start and stop. He debuted in August 2022 in a race that produced Grade 1 winners Cave Rock and Practical Move. He wasn’t seen again until April 2023 when he raced twice and again dropped off the radar. He resurfaced again in April 2024, raced three times, and then went back on the shelf for nine months. Glatt is 13% wins with a 40% in-the-money clip in graded stakes over the last five years, accoridng to Race Lens. Glatt believes Ultimate Gamble will like the distance despite never having raced beyond 1 1/16 mile, but I have serious doubts about the level of competition he’s facing. Kazushi Kimura has the call. Pass.
4. Nysos (8-5)
The only mark on the record of the speedy Nysos was a dead heat for second by a neck in the Churchill Downs (G1) over a sloppy track behind Mindframe. In his last start, he rated nicely behind Mirahmadi in the San Diego Handicap (G2), getting a cushy rail trip before tipping out in the stretch. The Bob Baffert trainee bested his stablemate by 2 3/4 lengths with Tarantino further back in third. Nysos completed 1 1/16 miles in an average 1:41.61 and earned a sharp 104 Brisnet rating with a 100 late-pace figure. It was a decent performance against less accomplished runners. Baffert gave Nysos a trio of stamina works, including a seven-furlong breeze in his second-to-last work. Contender.	Trained by Bob Baffert, Nysos has received a lot of hype coming into this race, with many declaring him the best horse in training. I’ll concede that his record is quite sparkly, but crowning him the Pacific Classic champ when he’s never raced beyond 1 1/16 miles is a bit much for me. He also has vaced only one strong field, but he ran an excellent race to dead heat for second. With that said, I do expect Nysos to be in the mix at the wire. Regular jockey Flavien Prat has the mount. Contender.
5. Indispensable (15-1)
Indispensable loves Del Mar and earned his initial victory here after nine starts. His only other winner’s-circle visit was in his last start, a $40,000 optional claimer at a mile, where he fought bravely to win by a neck and recorded a 101 speed rating. The John Sadler trainee showed class with a pair of second-place finishes in listed stakes and was third in the Oklahoma Derby (G3). Indispensable has tactical speed, finished off the board just twice, and is worth a lower exotics look.	Trained by John Sadler, Indispensable has been an ATM for his connections, quietly putting together a 14: 2-4-5 record. Over half his races have been against maidens as it took him nine attempts to get his picture taken. Since that initial win, he was second in the Shared Belief Stakes, third in the Oklahoma Derby (G3), and second in the Zia Park Derby. Although those are commendable finishes for a maiden winner only, those three fields are a far cry from what he’ll face here. Sadler, who is just 3% wins with a 50% in-the-money clip in graded stakes over the last year, lured Paco Lopez west with a trio of mounts on Saturday’s card, including Indispensable. It wouldn’t be a far reach for this colt to hit th

Head to Head: Baffert brings 3 to H. Allen Jerkens Memorial

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 08:47:54 GMT

The Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, formerly known as the King’s Bishop, attracted a deep field of 3-year-old sprinters. The eight colts entered will break from the chute and travel seven furlongs around one turn.

Bob Baffert ships in three runners despite the Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) being right in his back yard. He does have two older sprinters in that field and clearly opted to keep his 3-year-olds in their own division rather than pitting them against older runners.

Three runners in the field previously met in the Woody Stephens (G1), with Patch Adams winning that decision. And although most in the field have traded blows at some point, the Jerkens Memorial does feature a pair of new shooters in Midland Money and Verifire.

The H. Allen Jerkens Memorial is the 10th race on Saratoga’s 14-race Saturday card. It’s the second in a string of five consecutive Grade 1 events. Post time is slated for 4:22 p.m. EDT.

We review the past performances in search of a winner.

Laurie	Ashley
1. Patch Adams (3-1)
After fading in a pair of Derby-trail races at 1 1/16 miles, Patch Adams returned to seven furlongs and bested optional claimers on the Derby undercard, earning a career-best 104 Brisnet rating. He equaled the performance in the Woody Stephens but showed a new dimension, settling off the pace before collaring Madaket Road in the stretch and drawing off by 2 1/4 lengths, earning a 103 Brisnet rating. Draw a line through the two-turn starts and we have a sprinter with triple-digit speed ratings and late-pace figures. Win Contender.	Trained by Brad Cox, Patch Adams returned to winning form on the Kentucky Derby undercard by winning a 6 1/2-furlong optional claimer by 2 1/4 lengths in the slop. And if anyone still doubted whether he preferred sprinting, the colt then won the Woody Stephens. These two efforts came after a pair of dull efforts around two turns on the Kentucky Derby trail. Patch Adams has a win at Saratoga already and is 2-for-2 at the seven-furlong distance. Luis Saez has the return call from the Woody Stephens. Contender.
2. Midland Money (8-1)
Midland Money is a Bob Baffert special. After breezing a furlong in 9.2 seconds at last year’s OBS March sale, this dark bay, almost black colt sold for $650,000. After destroying a 2-year-old maiden field by six lengths in 58.15 for five furlongs at Santa Anita, Midland Money was put on the shelf until surfacing in a Saratoga allowance race 20 days ago, beating winners by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:09.83 for six furlongs. By Shancelot, who missed the victory in the 2019 edition of the Jerkens Memorial by a nose, Midland Money has little black type in the first three generations of his distaff line, but he hails from the family of Grade 1 winners Super Saver, Girolamo, Imagining and Bluegrass Cat. Midland Money fired a pre-race bullet four furlongs in 46.22. No doubt he’s fast and professional, and his speed ratings are in the 90s. But his late pace figures are some of the lowest in this field. Midland Money must deal with quality speed to his outside, but hey, it’s a Baffert Special. Live long shot.	Trained by Bob Baffert, Midland Money debuted a winner at Santa Anita in June 2024, winning a five-furlong event in gate-to-wire fashion by six lengths. He was shelved and finally reappeared Aug. 3 at Saratoga. Despite the 14-month layoff, the colt again won in gate-to-wire fashion, besting his elders in a seven-furlong allowance race. Midland Money’s debut race hasn’t produced anything of note, though the runner-up did win the Zia Park Juvenile Stakes. The allowance field was similarly underwhelming, with runner-up Aggelos the Great, stakes-placed in New York-bred events, being the best of the bunch. Joel Rosario, the colt’s third jockey in as many starts, has the mount. Exotics.
3. Barnes (9-2)
After his Kentucky Derby bid was derailed in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Barnes went back on the shelf until now. He runs well fresh and has had a series of stamina works. The Baffert trainee has a triple-digit late-pace speed rating and a Grade 2 win at seven furlongs. Barnes might vie with his stablemate Midland Money on the lead, and although some like to hype him, I don’t buy into it. Exotics.	Also from the Baffert barn, Barnes cuts back in distance after finishing last of five in the Santa Anita Derby, crossing the wire 19 3/4 lengths behind winner Journalism. That rival also defeated him by 1 3/4 lengths in the San Felipe (G2). Barnes does have a Grade 2 victory at seven furlongs by virtue of his 5 1/2-length victory in the San Vicente in January. I like the cut back in distance for Barnes and the jockey switch to Jose Ortiz from J J Hernandez, who will remain in California. Contender.
4. Chancer McPatrick (5-1)
Chancer McPatrick is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum. He kicked off his career with three straight victories and was a disappointing sixth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He had a bumpy road on the Kentucky Derby trail and didn’t like getting his hooves dirty in the Woody Stephens over a muddy track. Then the Chad Brown trainee grabbed the restricted Curlin Stakes by a head, earning this field’s highest late-pace figure. Now what do we do with him? Is Chancer McPatrick back to his winning ways? As a closer in a field of speed, he has a shot, and Ashley has the stats on the Brown/Ortiz team. Exotics.	Laurie summed up this Chad Brown trainee perfectly, I believe. Chancer McPatrick did well racing up to a mile as a juvenile, taking the Hopeful (G1) and the Champagne (G1) before falling flat at 1 1/16 miles in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. After a couple of dull performances on the Kentucky Derby trail, I felt that Chancer McPatrick was best suited to sprinting, but then he pulled off a win in the 1 1/8-mile Curlin Stakes. That field wasn’t particularly strong on paper, so maybe that’s how he pulled it off. I do have to respect that Chancer McPatrick is 4: 3-0-0 at Saratoga, with his lone loss at the Spa coming in the mud in the Woody Stephens. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the colt for the first time in the Curlin Stakes and gets the return call here. Ortiz and Brown are 20% wins with a 46% in-the-money clip together over the last year. Contender.
5. Verifire (4-1)
Verifire proved he wasn’t a one-trick pony in the Maxfield Stakes. The contest drew a full field of stakes winners and was a good test of Verifire’s class. He settled three wide behind Captain Cook and Smoken Wicked early. The trio fought through the lane, with Captain Cook the first to bail, then Smoken Wicked fizzled out while Verifire opened up by 2 3/4 lengths. The Brad Cox trainee’s speed ratings have improved in each start, concluding with a 104 for his Maxfield Stakes effort. Contender.	Another from the Cox barn, Verifire is undefeated in three career starts. In his most recent outing, he won the Maxfield Stakes over Smoken Wicked and Captain Cook. The 104 Brisnet Speed Rating he earned in the Maxfield is tied for the best in the field. Verifire is a road warrior, having won his three starts at three tracks. Regular jockey Flavien Prat has the return call. Contender.
6. Smoken Wicked (6-1)
Every once in a while, a local boy does good and outruns his pedigree

Head to Head: Thorpedo Anna faces 6 in Personal Ensign

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 08:49:13 GMT

The $500,000, Grade 1 Personal Ensign Stakes attracted a talented field of seven. Five runners are Grade 1 winners, collecting 12 top-level wins and earnings of more than $10.5 million. Champion Thorpedo Anna accounts for half of those wins and purse monies herself.

Saratoga’s last Grade 1 event for distaff routers is also a Breeders’ Cup win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Dorth Vader and Thorpedo Anna already earned Distaff berths with their triumphs in the Ogden Phipps (G1) and Fleur de Lis (G2) respectively. They are joined by Sarawak Rim, winner of the Gran Premio Criadores (Gr. 1) in Argentina and Seismic Beauty, winner of the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar.

The Personal Ensign is the ninth race on Saturday’s loaded 14-race card at the Spa. Post time is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. EDT as the ladies kick off the first of five straight Grade 1 events, culminating with the $1.25 million Travers Stakes.

We study the forms to determine whether anyone can do the seemingly impossible and topple Thorpedo Anna for the second time in three starts.

Laurie

Ashley

1. Randomized (4-1)

One of three “old ladies” in the Personal Ensign field at age 5, Randomized hopes to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish behind Raging Sea. To be fair, Randomized stumbled at the start. The Chad Brown trainee is hoping to regain the glory from previous years, when she placed first or second in six straight races, including the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. After faltering over the slop in this year’s Ogden Phipps, a race she won last year, Nyquist’s daughter assumed her customary pacesetting position to score a three-length victory in the Molly Pitcher (G3), besting Dorth Vader in the process. Randomized has speed on the rail and will vie with other pacesetters. Exotics.

Trained by Chad Brown, Randomized was left in the dust in last year’s edition of this race after stumbling out of the gate, hustling to vie for the lead and eventually tiring to finish fourth, beaten by 15 1/2 lengths. Brown put her on the shelf following that race, and we didn’t see her for eight months. She reappeared on the Kentucky Oaks undercard where she ran third in the La Troienne (G1) behind winner Raging Sea and Taxed, beaten just 3/4 lengths for it all. She didn’t take to the slop at all next out in the Ogden Phipps, eventually crossing the wire fifth, 28 1/2 lengths behind winner Dorth Vader. She did bounce back, however, to best Dorth Vader in the Molly Pitcher last out. Exotics.

2. Dazzling Move (12-1)

With the jockey switch to Jose Ortiz, Dazzling Move became pacesetter in her last three starts, all at 1 1/8 miles. She couldn’t hold off rivals Leslie’s Rose or Dorth Vader, although Dazzling Move beat Raging Sea twice for second place in the Ogden Phipps and Shuvee (G2). Not This Time’s daughter isn’t a need-the-lead type and is better suited as a pace presser. Despite her losses, the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee’s Brisnet ratings are on the improve and she fired a pair of recent bullets. I’m not convinced she can wire this field, but Dazzling Move is worth an exotics play.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Dazzling Move has finished second in her last three races: the Allaire DuPont Distaff, the Ogden Phipps, and the Shuvee. She won the Royal Delta (G3) earlier this year but was then fifth in the Madison (G1). Dazzling Move is 3: 0-2-0 at Saratoga and 3: 0-3-0 at the 1 1/8 mile distance. Jose Ortiz, who was aboard in her last three races, gets the return call. He’ll likely have her prominently positioned early on, and although she could pick up a minor award, I don’t see her pulling off the upset. Exotics.

3. Raging Sea (5-1)

Raging Sea scored a narrow head upset in last year’s Personal Ensign (G1) over the previous year’s champ, Idiomatic. This year, the 5-year-old has only one victory and a pair of troubled third-place finishes behind Personal Ensign rivals Leslie’s Rose, Dorth Vader and Dazzling Move. The Chad Brown trainee was bumped at the start of her last two contests, which affected her performance. She was squeezed back to last in the Ogden Phipps and was left with too much to do. At one point, she was 14 lengths behind. Raging Sea has tactical speed as a pace presser or mid-pack mover and will benefit from the early speed types knocking themselves out. Raging Sea could surprise if Flavien Prat keeps her out of trouble and Thorpedo Anna isn't on her toes. Exotics.

Trained by Chad Brown, Raging Sea returned off the layoff with stablemate Randomized in the La Troienne, which she won by 3/4 lengths in a blanket finish. Things went sideways after that, however, as Raging Sea then finished a troubled third in the Ogden Phipps, beaten by 6 1/2 lengths, and the Shuvee, beaten by 13 1/2 lengths. Raging Sea likes Saratoga and the 1 1/8-mile distance. Regular rider Flavien Prat has the call, and I’ll echo Laurie by saying that if he can keep the mare out of trouble, she has a legitimate shot of not only hitting the board, but also possibly beating Thorpedo Anna. Exotics.

4. Dorth Vader (6-1)

Dorth Vader made an imperialistic march through the stretch to surprise the Ogden Phipps field by 4 3/4 lengths. She earned a career-best 102 Brisnet rating for her effort, which might have taken a toll on her in the Molly Pitcher (G3), where she shadowed Randomized early but suddenly ran out of oats in the stretch and backed up to fourth place. The George Weaver trainee seldom wins, but she always picks up a check. Exotics.

Trained by George Weaver, Dorth Vader is 4: 1-1-0 in 2025. She picked up her lone victory in a sloppy rendition of the Ogden Phipps (G1). In her two other graded starts this year, she finished fourth in the La Troienne and the Molly Pitcher behind fellow Personal Ensign entrants Raging Sea, Randomized and Dazzling Move. As Laurie said, Dorth Vader isn’t a win machine, but she can typically be counted on to pick up a check. Regular rider John Velazquez has the call. Exotics.

5. Bernietakescharge (20-1)

Another early speedster, Bernietakescharge has spent her career successfully competing in state-bred contests. She captured the restricted 1 1/8-mile Critical Eye Stakes in her last outing, but the Personal Ensign appears above her talent level. Domenick Schettino cross-entered her in Friday’s restricted Yaddo Stakes, which is a better fit. Pass.

Trained by Domenick Schettino, Bernietakescharge has raced primarily against New York-breds, but she does have some open-company wins, including a 6 1/4-length drubbing of the Heavenly Prize Invitational Stakes field. Schettino hasn’t had a graded starter in nearly three years, and as Laurie said, this filly is better suited for Friday’s Yaddo Stakes. If she runs, Romero Ramsay Maragh will have the call. Pass.

6. Leslie’s Rose (9-2)

Leslie’s Rose was bumped so hard in the Ogden Phipps that she was eased in the stretch. She returned none the worse for it and proved she belonged with this group with a 3 3/4-length victory in the Shuvee over Dazzling Move and Raging Sea. Leslie’s Rose earned a career-best 108 Brisnet rating, and her 102 late-pace figure is the field’s highest. The Todd Pletcher trainee isn’t in Thorp

Head to Head: Division battle heats up in Alabama at Saratoga

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:15:41 GMT

Featuring a rematch of Good Cheer and La Cara, the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga is one of the last major races of 2025 carded specifically for 3-year-old fillies.

Good Cheer and La Cara faced off in their last two races resulting in a split decision as they have traded good and bad days. Both fillies will be joined by a stablemate plus two outliers to compose a field of six. They will face the formidable distance of 1 1/4 miles as well as one another in their quest for the lion’s share of the $600,000 purse.

Click here for Saratoga entries and results.

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. is expecting excellent weather this weekend. The Alabama is the 10th of Saturday’s 12 races with a post time of 5:44 p.m. EDT.

We have examined the Alabama from every angle to determine whether Good Cheer retains her top position in the division or if La Cara is poised to make a late run at championship honors.

Laurie	Ashley
1. Margie’s Intention (8-1)
Taken back to last, some 14 lengths behind Fondly in the early stages of the Delaware Oaks (G3), Margie’s Intention lost a lot of ground when she had to swing eight wide around the far turn. She gradually passed tired horses to gain second place, three lengths behind loose-on-the-lead Fondly. Usually, the Brad Cox trainee is a pace presser. She never has finished worse than fourth and has bested Kinzie Queen twice. Margie’s Intention has a middle-distance pedigree. She’s the only one of Honor A. P.’s offspring to win beyond 1 1/6 miles. Race Lens shows three of his progeny have raced at 1 1/4 miles on dirt, with one placing fourth. Out of the unraced Into Mischief mare Playful Dancer, the black type in the first three generations of Margie’s Intention’s distaff line hovers in the sprinter to middle-distance ranges. But she has made up ground in most of her races and might handle the extra distance. Exotics.	Now with Brad Cox, Margie’s Intention has elevated her game since switching barns. Under the tutelage of Brendan Walsh, this daughter of Honor A. P. was stakes-placed via a couple second place finishes in Louisiana-bred company. Since the switch she’s won the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and was second in the Delaware Oaks (G3). Neither of those fields featured the best in the division, so Margie’s Intention faces a steep class check as well as the classic distance question. Her Equibase speed figures have topped out at a ho-hum 93, and she posted just an 81 last out in the Delaware Oaks (G3). Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount. Exotics.
2. Good Cheer (8-5)
In a shocking edition of the Acorn Stakes, Good Cheer brushed the gate and never got out of first gear, finishing 9 1/4 lengths behind La Cara over a sloppy track. Medaglia d’Oro’s daughter is out of multiple Grade 1 heroine Wedding Toast. Good Cheer has a consistent pattern of four-furlong breezes at Saratoga. She has tactical speed and classic distance breeding and can return to her winning ways. Contender.	Also from the Cox barn, Good Cheer looks to return to winning form after a shocking defeat last out in the Acorn. Previously undefeated through seven starts, Good Cheer ended up finishing fifth of six. She has had two months off to rest and put that race behind her, but she’ll still need to bring her A-plus game as La Cara is lined up once again to pounce on any weakness the leading lady might show. Regular jockey Luis Saez has the call. Contender.
3. Kinzie Queen (15-1)
Kinzie Queen consistently picks up a check and checked in third twice in graded stakes. Her late-pace figures waver in the 80s and 90s, so she fits with this group speed-wise. But class-wise, she’s a cut below the best. By McKinzie, sire of dual Classic-placed Baeza and Scottish Lassie, runaway winner of the CCA Oaks, Kinzie Queen is the third black-type earner out of the stakes-winning sprinter A.P.’s Glory, and her pedigree suggests 1 1/8 miles is about her limit. The Greg Compton trainee trains at Delaware Park and recently had a one-mile stamina breeze in 1:43. Kinzie Queen will make a late run and could pick up a lower exotics check.	Trained by Greg Compton, Kinzie Queen finished third in her last two starts, the Black-Eyed Susan (G2) and Delaware Oaks (G3). She finished behind Margie’s Intention in both races. Again, neither of those fields came up tough, but she gets credit for hitting the board after finishing fifth in the Fantasy (G3), beaten by 12 3/4 lengths, in her only other graded stakes start. Compton is 0% wins with a 29% in-the-money clip in graded stakes over the last five years and is seeking his first graded victory in a career that dates back to 2006, according to Race Lens. Junior Alvarado, who was aboard for her last two races, has the return call. Pass.
4. Nitrogen (9-5)
Nitrogen makes her fast-dirt debut after a string of four straight victories on the lawn. She freaked on the sloppy main track in the washed out Wonder Again (G3), galloping home a 17-length winner over two rivals, never getting out of first gear in a paid workout. More recently, Nitrogen missed the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) victory by a heartbreaking nose to Fionn. Nitrogen has a dirt-oriented pedigree. Medaglia d’Oro’s daughter is out of Tiffany Case, a minor-stakes-placed sprinter by Uncle Mo. Nitrogen’s half-sister Love to Shop is a stakes winner on turf and stakes-placed over Woodbine’s Polytrack. Tiffany Case’s half-sister Talk Veuve to Me won the Indiana Oaks (G3) and is multiple graded-placed, including a runner-up finish behind Monomoy Girl in the 2018 Acorn (G1). The Mark Casse trainee posted two breezes on Saratoga’s dirt. Nitrogen has the pedigree to enjoy classic distances. She moves smoothly, displaying good leg extension without excess movement, which could transfer to dirt. The main drawback for turf horses switching to dirt is kickback. Nitrogen is a pace presser, so if Jose Ortiz can keep her in the clear without eating dirt, she could pull off the upset. Contender.	Trained by Mark Casse, turf star Nitrogen gets a shot at the big time after dominating the off-the-turf Wonder Again by 17 lengths. She did return to the turf for her most recent start, getting nailed at the wire to lose the Belmont Oaks Invitational by a mere nose. Since she only faced two rivals in the Wonder Again, I’m hesitant to get over excited about her chances here. But as Laurie pointed out, Nitrogen does have a dirt-oriented pedigree. With most of the money likely going to Good Cheer and La Cara, I’d be a fool to not take a shot with the D. J. Stable homebred. Regular jockey Jose Ortiz has the mount. Contender.
5. Queen Azteca (12-1)
Queen Azteca is the Alabama’s mystery horse. The U.A.E. Oaks (G3) heroine has one off-the-board finish this year, against colts in the U.A.E. Derby (G2) behind Admire Daytona. Conditioned by Niels Petersen, Queen Azteca placed second against the boys in Sweden’s most prestigious race, the 1 1/2 mile Jockeyklubben Svenskt Derby. Somehow, I hear Betty White’s “Golden Girls” accent when I read that. The Sweden Derby is contested over a left turn around sharp, bull-ring turns. Queen Azteca settled on the far outside about mid-pa

Head to Head: Renewed rivalry in Whitney showdown

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 08:01:18 GMT

Nine of the best older horses in training will enter the starting gate this Saturday for the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes, a traditional highlight of the Saratoga meet. The winner punches a ticket to the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

In the last 11 editions, the Grade 1 contest has produced five Classic winners and three runners-up, plus five champion older horses, two of whom earned horse-of-the-year honors.

This year’s Whitney boasts a competitive lineup. The spotlight falls on the renewal of a compelling rivalry between Sierra Leone, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, and Travers Stakes (G1) champion Fierceness. The pair have met four times previously, with each colt claiming two victories.

Waiting to spoil the party are 2023’s Whitney champ White Abarrio, Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) hero Highland Falls, the ever-reliable Skippylongstocking and Post Time, runner-up here in 2024.

A pair of rabbits could stir up the pace scenario and set the stage for a potential upset.

The Whitney Stakes is featured as race 11 of 13 with a 5:41 p.m. EDT post time.

We’ve pored over past performances, race replays, and all the to find the hidden angles of this year’s Whitney.

Laurie

Ashley

1. Mindframe (5-2)

Mindframe was entered in the Whitney in case Fierceness doesn’t run. But Todd Pletcher stated that Mindframe will aim for the Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31.

Will scratch.

2. Skippylongstocking (10-1)

Skippylongstocking is back for another shot at the Whitney. Last year, he finished a rare fifth but had the excuse of being bumped at the start, which can knock the wind out of a horse. The 6-year-old road warrior rarely wins, but in his last start, the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee showed the California contingent his tail in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) at Santa Anita. Skippylongstocking will have company on the front end, but unless he encounters trouble is a predictable exotics play.

Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Skippylongstocking was last seen winning the Hollywood Gold Cup despite being entered in the Stephen Foster (G1) at the end of June. That race came up tough, so Joseph scratched the popular 6-year-old. Although only Sierra Leone returns from the Stephen Foster, this race came up equally as tough. Skippylongstocking appreciates the 1 1/8-mile distance but lacks a top-level win despite being multiple Grade 1-placed. He has just one previous start at Saratoga, a fifth-place finish in last year’s edition of the Whitney. Jose Ortiz has the call. Exotics.

3. Highland Falls (8-1)

Highland Falls is another capable sort who picks up a check frequently. He had an easy Whitney prep to kick off his 5-year-old season and won the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga last year in the best performance of his life. The Brad Cox trainee has tactical speed and a pair of recent five-furlong moves over the main Saratoga track. Vote him most likely to upset the Whitney finish if a possible fast pace knocks out the top contenders. Exotics.

Trained by Brad Cox, Highland Falls dominated the 2024 Jockey Club Gold Cup but fell flat in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, weakening to finish ninth of 14, 14 1/2 lengths behind winner Sierra Leone. He received a nice vacation and popped up for the first time this year in an optional claimer on June 27 at Aqueduct. He won easily and could continue to move forward second off the layoff. Cox is 23% wins with a 62% in-the-money clip with runners second off the layoff. Luis Saez has the mount. Contender.

4. Mama’s Gold (50-1)

Mama’s Gold has the lungs to carry his speed 1 1/8 miles while on the lead, but he is better suited to optional-claiming and state-bred stakes ranks. He likely was entered to help ensure a fast early pace for a certain one-run closer. Pass.

Trained by James Ferraro, Mama’s Gold is a stakes winner against New York-breds. But he was a 40-1 outsider when he won the Empire Classic Stakes. For a horse who I believe has no business in this race, Mama’s Gold does occasionally throw respectable speed ratings, including a 98 last out when finishing second in the Commentator Stakes. Ferraro has one career graded victory with Double Dee’s way back in 1996. Romero Maragh has the mount. Pass.

5. Sierra Leone (2-1)

A quirky horse who rarely gets it together, Sierra Leone always hits the board but seldom wins because circumstances must fall exactly right for him to do so. Chad Brown straightened him out with blinkers this year, yet Sierra Leone appeared one-paced through the stretch in the New Orleans Classic (G2) and Stephen Foster (G1). There are a pair of rabbits in the Whitney to ensure Sierra Leone’s chances of an elusive Grade 1 victory at Saratoga. No shocker if he wins, but I predict another runner-up performance. Exotics.

Trained by Chad Brown, Sierra Leone blows hot and warm. There’s no cold in this scenario as he never fails to hit the trifecta, but there are definitely races he should have won if he hadn’t been his own worst enemy. The blinkers have helped with that, but he still needs pace to run at. Laurie mentioned the two rabbits in here, and since one is also a Brown entrant, we should see see enough speed to help Sierra Leone find the winner’s circle. He has six straight triple-digit Brisnet Speed Ratings and regular jockey Flavien Prat. Contender.

6. Disarm (15-1)

A classy Grade 2 performer, Disarm closed for a distant fourth-place finish in last year’s Whitney and finished second, a length shy of Arcangelo in the 2023 Travers. The Steve Asmussen trainee does his best as a pacesetter or presser but has been switched to a one-run closer style since last June with little success. A quick pace could get Disarm into the lower exotics, but I’m going to pass.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Disarm was prominent on the 2023 road to the Kentucky Derby. He’s the type to run well and cash a check but typically fall short of getting his photo taken. Disarm is 5: 1-1-1 at Saratoga, but the glaring stat is his record at 1 1/8 miles. He’s just 6: 1-0-0, but he has finished fourth at the distance four times. Joel Rosario has the mount. He is cross-entered in an optional claimer on Aug. 1, but if he goes in this spot, then he’s a long-shot play in the bottom of the superfecta.

7. White Abarrio (4-1)

White Abarrio shocked the 2023 Whitney field with a jaw-dropping 6 1/4-length score under Rick Dutrow’s care, paying his fans $22.40 for the victory. The pretty gray horse was wiped out by a trip to Riyadh for the 2024 Saudi Cup (G1), and after a dismal showing in the Met Mile (G1), Saffie Joseph Jr. gave him a few months off. The vacation helped, and White Abarrio picked up a few more stakes wins. Toss his poor showing in June’s Met Mile because White Abarrio was body slammed on both sides coming out of the gate and bumped again before rounding the first turn. White Abarrio is customarily close to the pace but is adaptable to settling farther back if asked. Contender.

Also from the Joseph barn, White Abarrio does his best running at Gulfstream Park. Of his 10 career wins, only two have been away from the South Florida track, including a triumph in the 2023 edition of the Whitney. Laurie has a lot more faith in Whit

Head to Head: Opposing views on Saratoga's Fourstardave

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:44:06 GMT

The $750,000, Grade 1 Fourstardave, a win-and-you’re-in qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Mile, attracted a field of 10 turf milers. Headlining the field is Tim Yakteen’s Johannes, who fell short in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile by 3/4 length, which also may have cost him the Eclipse Award for male turf horse.

The race honors the “Sultan of Saratoga,” Fourstardave. For eight straight years the hard-knocking gelding summered at Saratoga, winning at least one race at the Spa each year. Past winners of the race read like a who’s who of some of the greatest turf milers this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Included in that list are Lure, Da Hoss and Wise Dan.

The Fourstardave is the ninth race on Saturday’s 13-race card. Post time is slated for 4:28 p.m. EDT.

In a well-matched field, we sort through the entrants to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Ashley	Laurie
1. Cugino (10-1)
Trained by Shug McGaughey, Cugino enters off an optional-claiming win at Aqueduct. It was a good starting point for the colt’s 2025 campaign as it was his first race off a six-month layoff. Cugino has a couple of stakes wins but none at the graded level. Last year he was second in the Hill Prince (G3) to Deterministic, fourth in the American Turf (G2) and second by a nose to Neat in the Transylvania (G3). Cugino’s speed ratings are below the best in the field. McGaughey is 19% wins with a 40% in-the-money clip with runners second off the layoff. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the return call. Exotics.	Competitive last year at the Grade 3 level, Cugino steps up in class and down in distance after besting optional-claiming allowance types at Aqueduct in his 4-year-old seasonal bow. His Brisnet Speed Ratings are middling and he’ll have to improve to win, but he could hit the board with a decent trip. Exotics.
2. My Boy Prince (15-1)
Trained by Mark Casse, My Boy Prince enters off a neck loss in the Highlander Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. He also was second in the Jaipur (G1) after winning the Elusive Quality Stakes to kick off his 2025 campaign. This 4-year-old gelding is multiple Grade 1-placed but just has never gotten a graded victory despite being a multiple stakes winner. One of these days he will get that graded victory, but I doubt today is his day. Jose Ortiz has the mount. Use underneath.	My Boy Prince was competitive in routes on Woodbine’s Polytrack last year. This year, Mark Casse shook up the program with a trio of sprint stakes. My Boy Prince responded with a win and a pair of close second places. The pretty gray gelding’s Brisnet Speed Ratings also have improved. He’ll be close to the lead and may get to take the short way around if Cugino backs off the pace. Live long shot.
3. Johannes (5-2)
Trained by Tim Yakteen, Johannes dominated the West Coast turf scene last year, winning four straight graded events but coming up just short to More Than Looks in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. He notched one more victory in the San Gabriel (G2) to close out his 2024 campaign but hasn’t raced since. He earned three 100 Brisnet Speed Ratings over the course of that six race campaign. Johannes loves the distance, with a 5: 4-1-0 record at a mile. Yakteen has shipped only one runner to New York in the last five years, and it wasn’t a successful trip as Carmel Road finished eighth in the Gotham (G3). Yakteen is 17% wins with a 43% in-the-money rate with runners first off the layoff. If we see the same Johannes as last year, then this should be his race to lose. But Yakteen has a poor track record when shipping outside California, which gives me pause. Regular rider Umberto Rispoli will make the trip east. Contender.	The class standout, Johannes just missed last year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile victory by 3/4 length. He hasn’t run since December, which raises the rust factor, but he’s undefeated at a mile on the turf and comes in fresh with sharp works. If he fires off the layoff, they’ll be chasing him home. Win contender.
4. Think Big (6-1)
Trained by Michael Stidham, Think Big enters off a length victory in the Kelso (G3) over runner-up Intellect and third-place finisher Win for the Money. The Godolphin homebred also notched victories in the Shakertown (G2) and Twin Spires Turf Sprint (G2) but was never a threat when finishing seventh in the Jaipur (G1) after an awkward start. Think Big has a 6: 5-0-0 record on turf and a 2: 1-0-0 at Saratoga. Think Big has been primarily a sprinter, but he did show that he can get a mile when winning the Kelso (G3) last out. He earned a career-best 100 Brisnet Speed Rating three starts back in the Turf Sprint (G2) and received a 98 for the Kelso (G3). Luis Saez has the call. Contender.	A lightly raced gelding who keeps improving, Think Big earned a career-best 97 Brisnet rating when winning the Kelso (G3), a traditional prep for the Fourstardave. He cut the corner, zipped between horses in the stretch and passed Intellect, who offered no resistance. The Michael Stidham trainee has tactical speed, his speed ratings fit, and I’m going to think big and label him a Contender.
5. Win for the Money (8-1)
Also from the Mark Casse barn, Win for the Money was most recently third in the Kelso (G3) behind Think Big and Intellect. He also was seventh in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1). Win for the Money upset the Woodbine Mile (G1) last year but has been inconsistent in graded company, putting together a 9: 1-1-3 record in graded stakes. Win for the Money did get about a five-month freshening prior to the Kelso and could move forward off that. Casse is 19% wins with a 56% in-the-money clip with runners second off a 2-6 month layoff. Dylan Davis has the call. Exotics.	Win for the Money had a three-wide trip in the Kelso (G3) and was green in the stretch, swerving and losing focus. He managed to hang on for third behind Think Big and Intellect. The Mark Casse trainee could move forward in his second start off the layoff, and he has back class at this level. Win for the Money usually runs his race, and his speed ratings are in the solid mid-90s. Exotics.
6. Intellect (5-1)
Trained by Chad Brown, Intellect has made three starts for Brown since arriving in the states. He’s 3: 0-2-1 for Brown with runner-up efforts in the Poker (G3) and the Kelso (G3). Overall, Intellect has three wins from 12 starts and hits the board more often than he wins. Additionally, Intellect was favored in his last two starts and failed as the favorite. Regular rider Flavien Prat has the mount. Exotics.	Intellect has been runner-up in his last two graded tries, the Poker (G3) and the Kelso (G3), posting Brisnet figures of 95 and 96, respectively. Although his speed ratings fit, Intellect’s 84 late-pace figure suggests that the Chad Brown trainee was tired at the end of the Kelso and offered no resistance to Think Big. He seldom wins but is worth an exotics look.
7. Spirit of St. Louis (6-1)
Also from the Brown barn, Spirit of St. Louis was last seen finishing sixth as the favorite in the Manhattan (G1). This 6-year-old thrived in New York-bred stakes and has been competitive since venturing into open company. He’s 5: 2-0-0 in graded stakes. Although a

Head to Head: Choices are easy for Jim Dandy at Saratoga

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 01:04:39 GMT

The $500,000, Grade 2 Jim Dandy is the major local prep for the mid-summer Derby, formally known as the Traver Stakes (G1). With the Haskell Stakes (G1) run this past weekend and with double the available purse money, the Jim Dandy drew only five starters. What it’s lacking in quantity, however, it more than makes up for in quality.

Last weekend’s Haskell gave us a rematch between Journalism, who ran second, first and second in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont respectively, and the upstart Gosger, who was poised to upset the Preakness before Journalism blew right past him in the stretch. The Jim Dandy will give us a rematch between Derby and Belmont hero Sovereignty, Derby and Belmont third-place finisher Baeza, and Preakness third-place finisher Sandman. If the Haskell was any indication, then the Jim Dandy should be another epic event in this year’s race for champion 3-year-old honors.

The Jim Dandy is the 10th race on Saratoga’s 12-race card. Saturday’s key event is slated to go to post at 5:41 p.m. EDT.

We weigh the pros and cons of the three Triple Crown alumni and the two relatively new shooters to determine whether Sovereignty remains the leader of the crop.

Laurie	Ashley
1. Baeza
A son of McKinzie, and half to Kentucky Derby hero Mage and Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch, Baeza finished third in the Derby and Belmont Stakes. McKinzie and his offspring are solid middle-distance types, and the cutback to 1 1/8 miles should help. The John Shirreffs trainee should show more speed breaking from the rail, and Hector Berrios’s return to the saddle. Baeza can upset the applecart. Win contender.	Trained by John Shirreffs, Baeza has been as tough luck as Gosger this year. Both colts have performed admirably at the highest level but have had the misfortune to be in the same crop as Journalism and Sovereignty. This regally bred colt finished second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and third in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont. He’s a helluva colt, but he’s facing Sovereignty once again. With a trio of triple-digit Brisnet speed ratings leading into this race, I anticipate we will once again see Baeza test the best. Hector Berrios takes back over from Flavien Prat. Contender.
2. Sandman
The quirky, late-running Sandman finally gets blinkers to keep him focused on moving forward instead of sideways. The one-run closer is talented but consistently finds trouble, resulting in few victories but many second- and third-place finishes. Perhaps we’ll see a more focused Sandman. Mark Casse gave the pretty gray colt a bullet, pre-race, five-furlong breeze in 59.8 seconds. Sandman flashed early speed at the start of his career, so perhaps the blinkers will keep him a little closer to the pace. Contender.	Trained by Mark Casse, Sandman was last seen finishing third in the Preakness after Journalism blew right past him and Gosger in the stretch. As Laurie pointed out, and as we already knew from Griffin Johnson’s social media posts, Sandman will race with blinkers for the first time. Casse is 14% wins with a 47% in-the-money clip with that angle, per Race Lens. Like Laurie, I’m hopeful that the blinkers will sharpen up this colt a bit because he won’t be able to afford to lay too far off the pace in this short field. Jose Ortiz has the mount. Exotics.
3. Mo Plex
A New York-bred, Mo Plex was successful against graded and restricted types as a sprinter-miler. He took his form on the road to Thistledown and galloped home a two-length winner in the 1 1/8-mile Ohio Derby (G3). A confirmed pacesetter-presser, the Jeremiah Englehart trainee’s Brisnet E1, E2, and late-pace figures show Mo Plex expends his energy evenly. He’s taking a class leap, and his speed ratings aren’t triple-digit, yet he’s worth an exotics look in case one of the top three has trouble or doesn’t run his race.	Trained by Jeremiah Englehart, Mo Plex enters off a two-length victory in the Ohio Derby over multiple graded-stakes-placed Chunk of Gold. This confirmed front-runner is 2-for-2 at Saratoga by virtue of victories in the Sanford (G3) and the Funny Cide Stakes as a juvenile. He earned Grade 1 placing in the Champagne, but that field maxed out at the Grade 3 level since then. although he will have the tactical advantage, he will need to take a big step forward off his career-best 97 Brisnet Speed Rating last out. Manny Franco has the call. Exotics.
4. Hill Road
The highlight of Hill Road’s career was a 3/4-length victory in the Peter Pan (G3) over a nondescript field. Two returned to finish behind Mo Plex in Ohio, one placed seventh in the Belmont Stakes, and none have won against lesser fields. A one-run closer, this Chad Brown trainee’s Brisnet speed ratings have improved, and he owns four triple-digit late-pace figures. But he must prove he belongs with the big boys. Pass.	Trained by Chad Brown, Hill Road looked like he could develop into a legitimate Triple Crown contender off a shocking third-place run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and again in the Tampa Bay Derby (G3). He did win the Peter Pan but had no answer for the top three from the Kentucky Derby in the Belmont, finishing fifth by 9 1/2 lengths. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call. Pass.
5. Sovereignty
Sovereignty rolled to the top of the 3-year-old division with victories in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont. We’ll forever wonder if he could have won the Preakness. The Bill Mott trainee showed he wasn’t a one-dimensional closer in the Belmont Stakes, and his speed ratings keep improving. The outside post is the perfect position for his long, ground-covering stride. Win contender.	Trained by Bill Mott, Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Sovereignty needs no introduction. We just saw Journalism and Gosger flatter the Triple Crown form last weekend by running 1-2 in the Haskell (G1). He earned a field- and career-best 111 Brisnet Speed Rating in the Belmont. He also received a crop-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form for the Belmont. There’s really nothing else to say. Junior Alvarado has the call. One to beat.

Final thoughts

Laurie: The majority of the last 15 Jim Dandy heroes competed in the Belmont Stakes with varying results. Two pulled off the Belmont-Jim Dandy victory.

Pace pressers are the most successful, followed by closers. Two pacesetters won.

Beaten favorite is a Saratoga theme. Five of the last 15 Jim Dandy favorites got the job done. Most of the rest finished second or third, with two placing fourth.

From 2014 to present day, the number of Jim Dandy contenders ranged from four to six. Include the horse breaking from post no. 1 in your tickets. Only five of 15 finished worse than fourth, two won and six were second or third.

I don’t expect any surprises in the Jim Dandy and state the obvious. Yes, boring, but what do you expect in a five-horse field with three classic contenders? We saw similar results in the Haskell, and if the top trio from each race contests the Travers, then Ashley and I will spend a few hours agonizing over the order of our top four.

Sovereignty was my pick for the Derby and Belmont. I’m not changing horses. His pedigree and size show that he’ll only improve. He could be a power

Get 2 views on competitive Bowling Green at Saratoga

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 20:37:53 GMT

The $200,000, Grade 2 Bowling Green, carded for 1 3/8 miles on Saratoga’s inner turf course, originally brought together eight turf marathoners plus three main track only entrants. However, early storms Saturday led Starting Over, Tawny Port, Webslinger and Corruption to be scratched.

Although it's not one of the more prestigious turf marathons, the Bowling Green has nonetheless been won by some good ones. The legendary Theatrical won this race in 1987. Flintshire, a Grade or Group 1 winner on three continents, won this event in 2016. Fan favorite Channel Maker won the Bowling Green for the first time in 2018 in a dead heat with Glorious Empire (and won it again five years later in 2023 after also contesting the race in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The Bowling Green is the eighth race on Saturday’s twelve race card. Post time is slated for 4:29 p.m. EDT.

We look to bowl a turkey after sifting through the relevant information on the field.

Laurie	Ashley
1. Starting Over (scr)
The aptly named Starting Over is still hanging in there as an 8-year-old. He’s switched hands throughout his career and finished a strong third, bested a head and nose, in the Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park for new trainer Brittany Russell. Starting Over earned a huge 103 Brisnet Speed Rating for his second start off a long layoff. He has tactical speed and can sit anywhere in the race, but I expect that with the rail position and the addition of Manny Franco, Starting Over may contest the pace like he did in the Cape Henlopen. Long-shot exotics.	Trained by Brittany Russell, Starting Over enters off a third place finish in the 1 1/2 mile Cape Henlopen Stakes at Delaware Park. In his only other start this year, he was 12th, beaten by 38 1/4 lengths, in the Elkhorn (G2) at Keeneland. The 8-year-old gelding has one prior start at Saratoga: a fourth-place finish in an optional claimer in 2023. Starting Over is a graded winner via a victory in the Mac Diarmida (G2) at Gulfstream Park last year. Russell is 0% wins with a 40% in-the-money clip in graded stakes at Saratoga over the last five years, according to Race Lens. Manny Franco has the mount. Pass.
2. El Rezeen (8-1)
By English Channel out of a daughter of Kitten’s Joy, El Rezeen has a perfect example of a later-maturing pedigree. He earned his initial win last July as a 3-year-old and followed up with an allowance victory, both at Saratoga. Then El Rezeen dipped a hoof into Grade 3 company in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational and finished a close third, bested by 3/4 length for top money behind Grade 1 winner Carson’s Run. Still eligible for non-winners-of-two allowance conditions, El Rezeen surfaced in April at Keeneland in a 1 1/16-mile allowance event and closed for third into a quick pace. Now this turf router stretches out over a surface he likes. He has tactical speed and potential. Contender.	Trained by Todd Pletcher, El Rezeen was second in an optional claimer last out. It was his first start off a 6 1/2-month layoff, and he earned a career-best 98 Brisnet Speed Rating. In his last start of his 3-year-old season, he finished a very close third in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational (G3), beaten just 3/4 lengths by Carson’s Run. El Rezeen is undefeated at Saratoga, breaking his maiden in his fifth career start and immediately following up with a victory in an optional claimer. He loves a route of ground and has proven he can run well off a layoff. Dylan Davis has the mount. Exotics.
3. Tawny Port (scr)
Tawny Port went off form last October and hasn’t gotten his mojo back. The 6-year-old hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since winning the listed John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga in 2023 and was fifth in that year’s edition of the Bowling Green. Pass.	If the name Tawny Port sounds vaguely familiar to you, it’s because the Miguel Clement trainee contested the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The switch to turf since hasn’t been super successful as Tawny Port is 12: 1-2-4 on the lawn. In his two starts this year, Tawny Port finished sixth in the Pan American (G3) and seventh, beaten by 81 lengths after being eased, in the off-the-turf Belmont Gold Cup (G3). Now 6, Tawny Port is 2: 1-0-0 at Saratoga and has recent losses to Far Bridge, Corruption, and Yo Daddy. Flavien Prat has the return call. Pass.
4. Tucson (15-1)
Tucson tried turf for the first time in April, capturing an allowance contest at Keeneland over 1 1/2 miles. He took on bigger and better less than a month later, in the Manhattan (G1) over good turf. The Todd Pletcher trainee showed early speed before tiring badly to eighth. Was it the quick turnaround, the company or the turf condition? Only Tucson knows. His late-pace figures fit with this field, and although Tucson will contribute to the pace, perhaps he can rebound. Worth a long-shot exotics look if you’re playing multiple tickets, but a pass for me.	Also from the Todd Pletcher barn, Tucson enters off a 25 1/2-length drubbing in the 1 1/8-mile Manhattan in his graded debut. Distance was not the problem as he had just won a 1 1/2-mile allowance race in his previous start. The lightly raced 4-year-old colt just his maiden in January in his second start and then rattled off two more wins before that disappointing showing at Saratoga last month. We won’t see many of those same runners in this event, so Tucson can improve here. Luis Saez has the call. Exotics.
5. Webslinger (scr)
Webslinger has finished off the board in only five of 20 starts, but hasn’t seen the winner’s circle since last June although he’s generally a decent exotics bet. He has late speed but usually goes wide or is left with too much to do at shorter distances. He kicked off his 5-year-old season with yet another closing second-place finish in Canada’s Eclipse (G2) at 1/16 miles on synthetic in May. Mark Casse gave Webslinger a solo four-furlong work in 49.90 seconds over the Saratoga training turf, third-best of 32 of the day. Webslinger enjoyed stretching his legs in this maintenance move. Exotics.	Trained by Mark Casse, Webslinger was a solid second in the Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine off a nearly nine-month layoff. That race was over the synthetic main track, but the 5-year-old gelding showed the same turn of foot we see from him on the lawn. Webslinger has two runner-up efforts over the Saratoga track but is 2: 1-0-0 at 1 3/8 miles. But, that off-the-board finish at this distance wasn’t a terrible effort as he finished seventh in last year’s United Nations (G2), beaten by just 3 1/2 lengths. Jose Ortiz has the call. Contender.
6. Harrow (8-1)
Harrow has been hit or miss against allowance types since being claimed last September. After winning the Barbados Cup in March, the 7-year-old gelding beat Starting Over by a head for second place in the Cape Henlopen Stakes, earning a career-best 103 speed rating. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee jumps up in class but hasn’t proven he can beat listed runners. Pass.	Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Harrow is a former claimer. He finished fifth in the William L. McKnight (G2) and second in the Cape Henlopen with a victory in a stakes race in Barbados sandwiched in between. The 7-year-old gelding received a c

Head to Head: 2 picks to beat She Feels Pretty at Saratoga

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 04:56:03 GMT

Saturday’s $500,000 Grade 1 Diana Stakes attracted an elite field of six older fillies and mares who will vie 1 1/8 miles over Saratoga’s inner turf course.

Although not a qualifier for the 2025 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, five Diana alumni have gone on to win or place in the Filly & Mare Turf, with four earning Eclipse honors since 2011.

Chad Brown’s charges have dominated the Diana like no other. Brown stood in the winner’s circle in eight of the last nine years. His consecutive streak was interrupted by Charlie Appleby in 2021. This year, Brown sends out Dynamic Pricing and Excellent Truth, who just ran 1-2 in the Just a Game (G1) on June 6. That race was at a mile—now they stretch out a furlong and renew their rivalry over a layout that has historically favored tactical speed.

Featured as race 11 of 12, the Diana Stakes has a post time of 4:29 p.m.. EDT. The turf should be firm.

We review the data to determine whether this is an all Chad Brown affair or if someone else can claim victory in this exciting edition of the Diana Stakes.

Laurie	Ashley
1. She Feels Pretty
Never out of the money in seven career starts, She Feels Pretty established her Grade 1 credentials as a 2-year-old and more recently went on a four-race win streak at four tracks, including a half-length finish in the 1 3/16-mile New York (G1) over Saratoga’s yielding turf. Although it was a workmanlike performance, the effort earned She Feels Pretty a 91 Brisnet Speed Rating and a 98 late-pace figure, the highest in the Diana field. Last year, the Cherie DeVaux trainee outperformed Dynamic Pricing twice, including in the Lake Placid (G2) at Saratoga. She Feels Pretty breezed a second-to-last bullet four furlongs in 48.75, seconds the best of 51 for the day June 30 over Saratoga’s training track. Contender.	Trained by Cherie DeVaux, She Feels Pretty has never missed the trifecta in her career and enters on a four-race win streak. She’s 2: 1-1-0 at Saratoga and won the 1 3/16-mile New York (G1) in her most recent start. None of the four fillies who have beaten her are in this race, and Dynamic Pricing is the only one in the field whom she previously has raced against. She has the best overall turf speed with a 102 Brisnet Speed Rating from last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) but received just a 91 for her last-out effort in the New York (G1). Regular rider John Velazquez has the call. Contender.
2. Choisya (GB)
A multiple Group 2 winner at Meydan in Dubai, Choisya transferred her form to Keeneland, where she held off a troubled Excellent Truth to win the Jenny Wiley (G1) by a half-length. Perhaps she didn’t care for the yielding surface when finishing at the back of the pack in the Just a Game (G1) behind Dynamic Pricing and Excellent Truth. The Simon Crisford trainee earned a 98 Brisnet rating in the Jenny Wiley, and I’m chalking up her last effort to not liking the surface. Contender.	Trained by Simon Crisford, Choisya enters off a disappointing 7th-place finish in the Just a Game. The argument could be made that she didn’t like the yielding surface she faced that day, but if you go back and look at her record, she’s 13: 5-2-0 on wet turf overall. She beat Excellent Truth and Be Your Best two starts back in the Jenny Wiley but finished behind Dynamic Pricing and Excellent Truth, who went 1-2, in the Just a Game. She has the potential to be very good, but I do wonder if Saratoga was the problem and not the moisture in the turf. Luis Saez has the call. Exotics.
3. Lady Claypoole
Lady Claypoole turned the corner as a 5-year-old, winning three straight before finishing second behind Be Your Best in Santa Anita’s Gamely (G1). Lady Claypoole was beaten by 2 3/4 lengths but edged out the solid multiple graded winner Liguria by a half-length. It was a strong effort for Lady Claypoole’s first Grade 1 appearance, as the Richard Baltas trainee earned a 93 speed figure. But this up-and-comer is taking on the best turf fillies in the east. Is her A Game good enough? Exotics.	Trained by Richard Baltas, Lady Claypoole enters off a runner-up effort to Be Your Best in the Gamely. This 5-year old mare has done most of her racing in California and entered graded-stakes company just this year. She won the Santa Ana (G3) but could not run down front-running Be Your Best, finishing 2 3/4 lengths behind that rival. Lady Claypoole is 6: 2-2-1 at 1 1/8 mile, but this will be her first start at Saratoga, where she will face a much tougher field. Joel Rosario will get the leg up. Pass.
4. Excellent Truth
Group 1-placed in France, Excellent Truth found trouble in her U.S. bow in the late stages of the Jenny Wiley (G1) as she was cut off while making her bid and had to alter course, unable to get to Choisya by the wire. The Chad Brown trainee faced her stablemate Dynamic Pricing in the Just A Game. The pair raced as a team down the backstretch, but Excellent Truth circled six wide around the far turn. She made a bid but deferred to Dynamic Pricing in the stretch. Excellent Truth finished 3/4 length in second and should enjoy the extra distance and firmer ground. Exotics.	Now trained by Chad Brown, Excellent Truth enters off three straight second-place finishes, two of those for Brown. She was a half-length behind winner Choisya in the Jenny Wiley after being shut off and steadied and 3/4 lengthsbehind winner Dynamic Pricing in the Just a Game. She was a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed in France and appears to be blossoming as an older runner. The Just a Game produced a slow final time, so take the 85 Brisnet Speed Rating she received in that race with a grain a salt, especially when compared with the 98 she earned in the Jenny Wiley. Flavien Prat has the mount. Contender.
5. Dynamic Pricing
Dynamic Pricing notched her second consecutive victory and first Grade 1 score in the Just a Game, zipping past the pacesetters to clear by 3/4 length. The 4-year-old did well at Saratoga to finish a close third in last year’s Lake Placid (G2) behind She Feels Pretty, and the one-run closer should appreciate the extra distance. Contender.	Also from the Chad Brown barn, Dynamic Pricing is undefeated in two starts this year, taking the Beaugay (G3) and the Just a Game. She’s finished off the board only twice in her career, placing seventh both times. But she was beaten by only 3 3/4 lengths in the Florida Oaks (G3) and by five lengths in the Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1) when finishing seventh, so neither were terrible efforts. She had no answer to She Feels Pretty or Dynamic Pricing last year but did best Excellent Truth and Choisya last out. I stated already that the Just a Game produced a slow final time, an 86 for Dynamic Pricing as the winner, but Dynamic Pricing also received only an 87 for the Beaugay (G3). She’ll need to do much better than that here, particularly as she seemed to appreciate a yielding surface better than some of her rivals. Dylan Davis has the return call. Pass.
6. Be Your Best
Be Your Best had her three-race win streak snapped when she tired to eighth in the Jenny Wiley, likely because of the give in the turf. She beat up the California contingent, winning the Gamely by 2 3/4 lengths under a hand ride, and earned a 96 speed rating. The Saffie Jose

Head to Head: 2 standouts in light Schuylerville at Saratoga

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:44:02 GMT

Friday’s $150,000 listed Schuylerville Stakes sets the tone for a stakes-packed holiday weekend with a fast and furious six-furlong dash for six precocious 2-year-old fillies.

Vekoma and Omaha Beach, leading the second- and third-crop rankings respectively, both are represented in the Schuylerville, looking to bolster their black-type credentials. Not to be overlooked, Yaupon, currently third among first-crop sires, sends out a contender hoping to make noise.

Carded as race 2 of 11, the youngsters load into the gate at 1:42 p.m. EDT.

Let's review who’s bred to shine and who might be out of their depth.

Laurie	Ashley
1. Evolution
Sent off as the even-money favorite in her second start at Gulfstream, Evolution dueled early before drawing off under a hand ride to win by 2 3/4 lengths. The Carlos David trainee completed five furlongs in 59.08 seconds with a slow 13.02 final furlong. But she wasn’t asked for her best, and the class of her rivals is suspect. Only one of four returned hit the board in their next outing. Evolution earned a 79 Brisnet Speed Rating. Brethren’s daughter is a full sister to Mist, who placed in a restricted stake at 2. Their dam is a stakes-winning sprinter. Multiple graded winner and sire Best Pal is part of the extended family. Evolution fired a pre-race five-furlong bullet in 1:01.05, and overall, her post-race works are slower than her pre-race times. Contender.	Trained by Carlos David, Evolution was second on debut at Keeneland, beaten 3 1/4 lengths behind winner Satisfied Mind. That one was 10th next out but had been switched to turf to contest the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies. Four others from that race hit the board in their next outing. David took his filly to Gulfstream Park for her next start, and she responded with a 2 3/4-length victory. Her Brisnet Speed Rating increased from 67 to 79, but she hasn’t been very flattered by the rest of the field so far. David has a 16% win rate with a 40% in-the-money clip in non-graded stakes, but is just 10% win rate with a 29% in-the-money rate at Saratoga over the last five years. Luis Saez will be the filly’s third jockey in as many starts. Contender.
2. Kingsolver
Kingsolver showed brief speed in her debut then finished evenly in fifth place. She was professional and stayed in her lane despite horses acting up outside of her. It was a good learning experience, and her 80 late-pace figure is second best in the Schuylerville. By leading third-crop sire Omaha Beach, Kingsolver is out of the unraced Speightstown mare Famous Writer. Famous Alice, the second dam, is a stakes-placed sprinter, and her full sister Quiet Kitten is a multiple graded-placed turf router. Since her debut was 23 days ago, Rodolphe Brisset gave her a slow four-furlong maintenance breeze. Pass.	Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, Kingsolver is still a maiden after finishing fifth in her debut. It was an okay effort, but it’s too soon to tell what kind of field that was. Since it was run on June 11, only one filly from that field has made a subsequent start, finishing third. The 75 Brisnet Speed Rating she received does put her up there with Evolution, and she certainly could move forward to get a piece of the pie. Exotics.
3. Bay Yaupon
Bay Yaupon sold for $90,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton select yearling sale. She’s had a consistent series of three-, four- and five-furlong breezes for Gary Contessa. Nothing spectacular, yet a good fitness regimen from a conservative trainer. By third-leading first-crop sire Yaupon, Bay Yaupon is the second foal out of the winning Candy Ride mare Golden Star Lady. There’s little black type in the first few generations, but it includes the second dam, Grade 3-placed turf sprinter Empressive Lady and a pair of stakes-placed sprinters. Race Lens shows that Yaupon’s juvenile first-time starters have a 40% win and 60% in-the-money rate. Bay Yaupon’s immediate family isn’t precocious. Her half-sister placed in her second start as a 3-year-old and raced at Gulfstream but is winless in four starts. Their dam placed in her debut but needed an additional seven starts to get her picture taken. Bay Yaupon could be any type. Pass.	Trained by Gary Contessa, Bay Yaupon will be making her debut here. Contessa is 33% wins with a 50% in-the-money clip with first-time starters in the last year. It’s unusual for Contessa to debut a maiden in a stakes race, but he successfully did just that two years ago in this race with Becky’s Joker. With Junior Alvarado up, she could be worth a look. Long shot play.
4. My Sweetheart
My Sweetheart impressed in her five-furlong turf debut at Churchill. In the usual early scramble to sort themselves out after leaving the gate, My Sweetheart was in tight but moved between rivals to contest the lead. Surprisingly, she relaxed on the lead while being challenged on the outside, yet was all business when asked for her best, opening up by 1 1/2 lengths. She was professional the entire way, and earned a Brisnet 103 E2 rating. Although her late-pace rating of 75 is the lowest in the field, My Sweetheart wasn’t asked for her best. Flameaway’s daughter is out of the unraced Curlin mare My Darling, a half-sister to Grade-3 placed On Alert. The third generation is loaded with class and includes multiple Group 1 winner Forever Young and last year’s champion 3-year-old, Sierra Leone. Before her debut, My Sweetheart drilled four furlongs from the gate. Other than slight paddling with her right fore, she handled the dirt well, with excellent leg extension. Mark Casse gave My Sweetheart a sharp post-race four-furlong breeze in 46.40, second-best of 34, and she got acquainted with Saratoga’s main track with a bullet three furlongs in 36.67, best of 12. Contender.	Trained by Mark Casse, My Sweetheart was a debut winner on turf. The runner-up in that race was a next-out winner, and three more hit the board in their next outing. The switch in surface seems to be a non-issue. Casse indicated that the filly has been training well on dirt and that he ran her on grass first out because that was what was available. My Sweetheart has a field-best 87 Brisnet Speed Rating, albeit on turf. Casse is 18% wins with a 52% in-the-money clip with turf to dirt runners. Frankie Dettori was aboard the filly for her debut and gets the return call. Contender.
5. Miss Magical
In her debut, Miss Magical had zero early speed, but she circled the field six-wide and unevenly rolled past the field to gain a clear second place behind the well-bred Angel Gift, a daughter of 2011 Schuylerville heroine Georgie’s Angel. The George Weaver trainee recorded a field-high 84 late-pace figure. Good Magic’s daughter is out of the winning Uncle Mo mare Loving Moment. Multiple graded-winning turf miler Ruby Nell owns the black type in the second generation, and the third generation is anchored by Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old filly Richetta, who bore multiple stakes-winning veteran Concealed Identity. Miss Magical had a pre-race four-furlong move in company with Simone in 51.22. Working on the outside, Miss Magical had to be corrected for lugging in, but she briefly passed her stablemate whe