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LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 6, 2021) ― An all-star cast has been entered for Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga, headlining 14 graded stakes races from coast to coast this weekend. Grade 1 winners Maxfield, Knicks Go, and Silver State ― the second, fifth and sixth-rated horses in the latest NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll ― last year’s Grade 1 Preakness Stakes winning filly Swiss Skydiver, and four-time graded stakes winner By My Standards will battle it out at the historic Spa. An automatic berth into the Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic goes to the Whitney winner. Two other Grade 1 races embellish Saratoga’s Saturday card with the Longines Test for 3-year-old fillies and the $1 million Saratoga Derby for 3-year-olds on the turf. Two-year-old fillies will be in action today at Del Mar in the Grade 2 Sorrento, and on Saturday, 2-year-old males take the stage in the Grade 2 Best Pal. Saturday’s feature at Del Mar is the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon on turf for fillies and mares.
Races in the rundown are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Full previews, when available, can be found through the link for each race.
TVG will be broadcasting racing throughout the weekend from Del Mar, Delaware Park, Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, Woodbine and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app, which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.
“America’s Day at the Races” will be broadcasting live from Saratoga on Friday, Aug. 6 on FS2 from 1-6:30 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 7, “America’s Day at the Races” will be live on FS2 from 12:3-7 p.m. and; an on Sunday, Aug. 8, on FS1 from 1-1:30 p.m., and on FS2 from 1:30-6:30 p.m.
4:29 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga on FS2
Klaravich Stables’ Public Sector (GB), who broke his maiden at Saratoga last August, returns to the Spa on Friday as the 2-1 morning line favorite against seven rivals in the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes for 3-year-olds. The 1 1/8-mile race on turf pays tribute to new and current members of the Hall of Fame following Friday morning’s induction ceremony across the street from the track. Trained by Chad Brown and ridden from post 2 by Flavien Prat, Public Sector has finished first or second in four of his five starts. He won a 1-mile allowance optional claiming race at Belmont Park on June 4, and was second in the listed 1-mile Manila Stakes at Belmont on July 4, losing by a head to Original as the even-money favorite. Eric Fein’s Original, trained by John Terranova, led the Manila from start-to-finish to register his first win of the year in five starts. Luis Saez has the mount, breaking from post 6. After a disappointing 11th place finish in the Grade 1 American Turf Stakes on May 1 at Churchill Downs, Silverton Hill’s Next, trained by Wesley Ward, rebounded in the black type War Chant Stakes at Churchill on June 26, winning by 3 3/4 lengths. John Velazquez will ride Next, breaking from post 7.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080621USA7-EQB.html
5:39 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 3 Troy Stakes presented by Horse Racing Ireland at Saratoga on FS2
Bound For Nowhere and Imprimis, separated by just a nose in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland in April, meet again in Saratoga’s Grade 3 Troy Stakes, leading 12 starters at 5 ½ furlongs on turf. Owned and trained by Wesley Ward, Bound For Nowhere’s Shakertown win was his seventh in 16 starts. The 7-year-old son of The Factor followed up that performance with a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Jackpocket Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park. Ridden from post 11 by Joel Rosario, Bound for Nowhere will be making his first start at Saratoga. Breeze Easy’s 7-year-old gelding Imprimis crossed the wire first in last year’s Troy, but was disqualified and placed third due to interference. Trained by Joe Orseno and ridden from post 7 by Irad Ortiz Jr., Imprimis a nine-time winner, won the listed Janus Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 1. LRE Racing and JEH Racing Stable’s 5-year-old Casa Creed won the Jackpocket Jaipur by two lengths at 10-1 for trainer Bill Mott. Last August, Casa Creed won the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga. Junior Alvarado has the mount from post 12.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080621USA9-EQB.html
10 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes on Del Mar on TVG
Friday’s Sorrento will be California’s first graded stake for 2-year-old fillies this year. Following two scratches, a field of 10 is slated to start in the 6-furlong race led by Brad King, Stan Kirby and Susanne Kirby’s Smash Ticket. A bay daughter of two-time Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Midnight Lute, Smash Ticket broke her maiden in her second start, taking a 5-furlong race at Del Mar by five lengths on July 17. Umberto Rispoli has the mount from post 2. Elm Drive went wire-to-wire in an 8-length romp on debut at Los Alamitos on June 26 for Little Red Feather Racing and trainer Phil D’Amato. Juan Hernandez rides Elm Drive from post nine. Baoma Corporation’s Eda finished second in a hard-fought stretch battle in a maiden special weight on June 19 at Santa Anita, but was declared the winner due to interference by Ko Olina in the stretch. Trained by Bob Baffert, Eda will be ridden by Abel Cedillo from post 3.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080621USA7-EQB.html
Saturday, Aug. 7
3:58 p.m. ―$250,000 Grade 2 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga on FS2
George Kirkorian’s War Like Goddess, a winner four times in five starts, has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite against six fillies and mares in the 1 ½-mile Glens Falls Stakes on turf. Trained by Bill Mott and ridden from post 3 by Julien Leparoux, War Like Goddess has not started since winning the Grade 3 Bewitch at Keeneland on April 23. Prior to that, the bay daughter of Eclipse Award-winner English Channel captured the Grade 3 Orchid in March at Gulfstream Park. Peter Brant’s 6-year-old My Sister Nat (FR) finished second by a length as the favorite in last year’s Glens Falls. Trained by Chad Brown, My Sister Nat won the 2020 Waya Stakes at Saratoga. In her most recent start, My Sister Nat finished third behind Mean Mary in the Grade 2 New York Stakes at Belmont on June 4. Jose Ortiz has the mount from post 5. Bal Mar Equine’s 5-year-old Dalika (GER) comes into the race off a 1-length win in the Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial at 1 3/8 miles at Delaware Park on July 10. Trained by Al Stall Jr., Dalika will be ridden by Miguel Mena from post 6.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080721USA7-EQB.html
4:34 p.m. ―$500,000 Grade 1 Longines Test Stakes at Saratoga on FS2
Trainer Chad Brown has two solid chances with Search Results and Always Carina in the Grade 1 Longines Test at 7 furlongs for 3-year-old fillies with a field of eight entered. Klaravich Stables’ Search Results has won four of five starts. She won the Grade 3 Gazelle at Aqueduct, lost the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs by a neck to Malathaat, and came back to win the Grade 1 Acorn June 5 by a half-length over Obligatory as the odds-on favorite. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 7. Three Chimneys Farm’s homebred Always Carina will be making just her fourth start. Ridden by Flavien Prat from post 5, Always Carina finished second by 1 ¼ lengths to Zaajel in the Grade 2 Mother Goose at Belmont Park on June 26. Shadwell Stable’s Zaajel, trained by Todd Pletcher, earned her second win of the year in the Mother Goose. The bay daughter of Street Sense also won the Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes in January. Zaajel will be ridden by Joel Rosario from post 3. Juddmonte’s Obligatory, trained by Bill Mott, has won two of four starts this year, including the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs. Jose Ortiz will ride Obligatory, breaking from post 4. Live Oak Plantation’s Souper Sensational, trained by Mark Casse, won the Grade 3, 6 ½-furlong Victory Ride at Belmont on July 10 by 3 ¼ lengths. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides from post 2.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080721USA8-EQB.html
4:55 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 3 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes at Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort on TVG
Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider’s 4-year-old Sprawl leads a seven-horse field for Saturday’s Grade 3 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes. Trained by Tom Drury Jr., Sprawl has made his last three starts at Churchill Downs. Sprawl won an allowance optional claiming race on May 9 by 7 ¼ lengths, finished third in the black type Blame Stakes, and third again in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster behind Maxfield and Warrior’s Charge. Sprawl will break from the rail under Joe Talamo. Down from Canada is Lawrence Cordes’ 4-year-old Mighty Heart. Trained by Josie Carroll, Mighty Heart won the Blame Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 29 and took the Grade 3, 1 1/16-mile Dominion Day Stakes at Woodbine on July 1. Daisuke Fukumoto has the mount, breaking form post 5. Michael M. Hui’s hard-knocking 8-year-old gelding Exulting has won three of seven starts this year. Trained by Mike Maker and ridden from post 6 by Florent Geroux, Exulting won two starter allowance races at Oaklawn and a starter optional claiming race at Churchill, before finishing second last time out in the listed Michael M. Schaefer Memorial at Indiana Grand on July 7.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MNR080721USA7-EQB.html
5:10 p.m. ―$1 million Grade 1 Saratoga Derby at Saratoga on FS2
Intrigue from overseas will be on display in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Saratoga Derby with 11 3-year-olds going 1 3/16 miles on the turf. Trainer Aidan O’Brien returns with Bolshoi Ballet (IRE), who won the first leg of NYRA’s Turf Triple series at Belmont Park by capturing the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes on July 10 for Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg. Ryan Moore will ride from post 6. O’Brien’s son, Joseph, will start Teme Valley’s State of Rest (IRE), third in the Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes on June 26 at The Curragh. John Velazquez has the mount from post 9. On that same June 26 card at The Curragh, Alpha Racing’s Cadillac (IRE), trained by Jessica Harrington, won the Group 3, 1 ¼-mile ARM Holding International Stakes. That was Cadillac’s first start since finishing fourth in last year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland. Shane Foley will ride Cadillac from post 4. Godolphin’s Secret Protector, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden from post 7 by Mike Smith, finished third in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17. For the Americans, Kenny McPeek will start Three Chimneys Farms and Fern Circle Stables’ King Fury, who won the Grade 3 Stonestreet Lexington Stakes and was second in the Grade 3 Ohio Derby. Jose Ortiz will ride King Fury from post 11.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080721USA9-EQB.html
5:35 p.m. ―$500,000 Grade 3 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Racetrack on TVG
JIL Stable’s Mr. Wireless is the 9-5 morning line favorite against six rivals in Saturday’s Grade 3 West Virginia Derby for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles at Mountaineer. Trained by Bret Calhoun and ridden from post 3 by Ramon Vasquez, Mr. Wireless has won three of five starts, highlighted by a rousing 3 ¾-length score last time out in the Grade 3 Indiana Derby at Indiana Grand. Prior to the Indiana Derby, Mr. Wireless finished second by three-quarters of a length to Twin Creeks Racing Stables’ Warrant in the listed Texas Derby at Lone Star Park on May 31. Trained by Brad Cox, Warrant has won two of five starts. Florent Geroux has the mount from post 5. The Todd Pletcher-trained Bourbonic won Aqueduct’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial by a head at 72-1 in April. Owned by Calumet Farm, Bourbonic finished 13th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve and fifth in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. Bourbonic will break from the rail under Eric Cancel.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/MNR080721USA8-EQB.html
5:48 p.m. ― $1 million Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga on FS2
High-level talent abounds among the five starters in Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney Stakes at Saratoga with an automatic berth into the Grade 1 $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on the line. The Whitney field from the rail out, with rider assignments in parentheses, is: By My Standards (Gabriel Saez), Silver State (Ricardo Santana Jr.), Swiss Skydiver (Irad Ortiz Jr.), Knicks Go (Joel Rosario) and Maxfield (Jose Ortiz). Each Whitney starter has won seven races apiece. They have combined to win 21 graded stakes and more than $12.2 million in earnings. Allied Racing Stable and Spendthrift Farm’s 4-year-old By My Standards has four graded stakes wins, was runner-up in last year’s Whitney, and finished second in the Grade 1 Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap on June 5 at Belmont Park. Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing’s 4-year-old Silver State, trained Steve Asmussen, has won all four of his starts this year, including a last out win in the Metropolitan Handicap. Korea Racing Authority’s Knicks Go, the 6-5 morning line favorite, won the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park in January and recently won the Grade 3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap by 10 ¼ lengths, earning the top Beyer Speed Figure of the year with a 113. Peter Callahan’s Swiss Skydiver became just the sixth filly to win the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes, defeating Kentucky Derby winner and subsequent Horse of the Year Authentic by a neck. Trained by Ken McPeek, the 4-year-old Swiss Skydiver won the Grade 1 Beholder Mile at Santa Anita in March. Godolphin’s Maxfield, the 8-5 second choice, has won seven of eight starts, including this year’s Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs, and the Grade 2 Stephen Foster, in which he earned a “Win and You’re In” berth into the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080721USA10-EQB.html
9 p.m.― $200,000 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar on TVG
The formidable Gun Runner clinched the 2017 Horse of the Year title when he won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar. On Saturday, Rustlewood Farm’s Florida-bred Pappacap, a bay son of Gun Runner, is the 8-5 morning line favorite in a field of seven 2-year-olds entered in the Grade 2 Best Pal at Del Mar going six furlongs. Trained by Mark Casse, Pappacap, won a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight by 2 ¾ lengths at Gulfstream Park on May 14, going wire-to-wire in his debut under Joe Bravo, who has the mount again in the Best Pal breaking from post 2. Starting from the rail under Abel Cedillo is Gary Barber’s Bet On Mookie. Trained by Peter Miller, Bet On Mookie, also bred in Florida, broke his maiden on turf on June 11 at Santa Anita, leading throughout and coming home a 5 ¼-length winner. Miller is also starting Peter Redecop B.C’s Aquitania Arrival, who broke his maiden by 1 ¾ lengths at 5 furlongs at Churchill Downs on May 28.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080721USA9-EQB.html
9:30 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar on TVG
Ten fillies and mares are entered in a wide-open renewal of Saturday’s Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the Del Mar turf course. Slam Dunk Racing, Stable Currency and James Branham’s 5-year-old Maxim Rate swung three wide in the stretch to claim the Grade 1, 1 1/8-mile Gamely at Santa Anita on May 31 by a half-length at 13-1. Trained by Simon Callaghan, Maxim Rate gained her sixth win in the Gamely. She will be ridden by Juan Hernandez from post 9. LNJ Foxwood’s Dog Tag could not hold on to win the listed 1 ¼-mile Possibly Perfect Stakes on June 13 at Santa Anita, losing by a head as the 1-2 favorite. Prior to that, Dog Tag, trained by Richard Mandella, was runner-up to Charmaine’s Mia in the Grade 2 Royal Heroine at Santa Anita. Dog Tag will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli from post 4. Agave Racing Stable, Medallion Racing and Rockin Robin Racing Stables’ 5-year-old Charmaine’s Mia is three for four this year. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Charmaine’s Mia won the Grade 3 La Cienegas Stakes and the Grade 2 Buena Vista, both at Santa Anita, prior to her Royal Heroine triumph. She was odds-on in the Gamely, and led until the sixteenth pole, but faded to sixth. Joe Bravo will ride from post 3.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080721USA10-EQB.html
Sunday, Aug. 8
5:05 p.m. ―$200,000 Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga on FS2
Ontheonesandtwos and Wicked Halo, the second and third-place finishers, respectively, in the listed Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 26, meet again in Saratoga’s 105th Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes for 2-year-old fillies going 6 ½ furlongs. Ontheonesandtwos, owned by Deuce Greathouse, Cindy Hutson, Madaket Stables and Thomas Romano, and trained by Norm Casse, broke her maiden at Churchill Downs by 1 ¾ lengths on May 13. She went off as the 8-5 favorite in the Debutante, closed strongly from fifth place, but finished a length behind Behave Virginia at the finish. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount from post 2. Owner Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen campaigned Gun Runner to the 2017 Horse of the Year title. They are starting Wicked Halo, a gray/roan daughter of Gun Runner. Wicked Halo took the lead early in the Debutante and held it to the sixteenth pole before finishing third. Jose Ortiz has the mount, breaking from post 7. Swilcan Racing and LC Racing’s Mainstay was the 7-5 favorite in the Grade 3 Schuylerville Stakes on July 17 at Saratoga. Trained by Butch Reid, Mainstay bobbled at the start, and chased leader Pretty Bridie throughout, finished second by two lengths. Joel Rosario will ride Mainstay from post 8.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080821USA8-EQB.html
5:39 p.m. ―$700,000 Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational at Saratoga on FS2
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Del Toro, Eric Nikolaus and Troy Johnson’s Con Lima leads eight 3-year-old fillies in the Grade 3 $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational at 1 3/16 miles on the turf. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Texas-bred Con Lima has won four of seven starts this year, including Grade 3 scores in the Herecomesthebride at Gulfstream Park in February and the Wonder Again at Belmont in June. Con Lima ran brilliantly in the Grade 1, 1 ¼-mile Belmont Oaks on July 10, holding the lead nearly the entire way before losing to favored Santa Barbara (IRE) by a half-length. Flavien Prat will ride from post 5. Breaking from the rail is Michael Ryan, Jeff Drown and Team Hanley’s Higher Truth (IRE), who finished third in the Belmont Oaks, less than a length behind Santa Barbara. Trained by Chad Brown, Higher Truth is two for four this year. She will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 1. Lazy F. Ranch’s Gam’s Mission, trained by Cherie DeVaux, has won three races this year, including the Grade 3 Regret at Churchill Downs. Gam’s Mission, who finished fourth in the Belmont Oaks, will be ridden by Luis Saez from post 3.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/SAR080821USA9-EQB.html
9 p.m. ―$150,000 Grade 3 La Jolla Stakes at Del Mar on TVG
CYBT, Sterling Stables and Michael Nentwig’s Cathkin Peak (IRE) leads a wide open renewal among six 3-year-olds in the Grade 3 La Jolla Handicap at Del Mar going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Trained by Phil D’Amato, Cathkin Peak finished second to eventual Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World as the even-money favorite in the listed Pasadena Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 27. Last year, Cathkin Peak won the listed Eddie Logan Stakes at Santa Anita. He will be ridden by Juan Hernandez from post 4. The Bob Baffert-trained Hudson Ridge won the black type, 1 1/8-mile Cinema Stakes at Santa Anita on May 23, and followed up that victory with a 1 1/8-mile allowance optional claiming win at Santa Anita on June 18. Abel Cedillo has the mount from post 3. In from the Midwest is Steve Moger’s Stilleto Boy. Trained by Ed Moger Jr., Stilleto Boy was a frontrunning, 4 ½-length winner of the listed Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows on July 2. Kent Desormeaux has the mount from post 1.
Entries: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/DMR080821USA9-EQB.html
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