Saratoga Stakes Recaps (July 16-20):
July 16
Suzie O’Cain (NY-bred 3yo fil, 8.5f inner turf): This was my Bettor Bets play of the day and my top choice Mommy’s Turn ($7) stalked the pace and won by 2 lengths for Jose Lezcano and Chad Brown. Disco Star rallied for the place and Boston’s Phinest rounded out the top three. The final time was 1:42.28 and the temporary rail was set at 18 feet.
July 17
Rick Violette Stakes (NY-bred 3yo, 8.5T): Smooth Breeze was the 1-2 favorite and she came up a neck short. It was Leon Blue at 6-1 chasing from second and holding off the favorite for new journeyman rider Christopher Elliott (lost his apprentice weight allowance on July 20) and Melanie Giddings. The temporary rail was at 12 feet and the final time was 1:41.34.
July 18
Grade 2 Shuvee (f&m, 9f dirt): Raging Sea was the favorite and she got pace to chase, but her late run fell flat and she was a clear, distant third. Leslie’s Rose ($10.40) sat the right tactical trip behind front runner Dazzling Move and she easily wore that one down in the stretch to score by 3 1/2 lengths for Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Todd Pletcher. Dazzling Move was more than 9 lengths clear of show finisher Raging Sea. The final time was 1:50.77.
July 19
Caress Stakes (f& M, 5.5T): Future is Now did not disappoint as the 2-1 favorite. She chased from second and held off Zeitlos by a half-length. It was a blanket finish from 2nd-5th with Zeitlos, Time to Dazzle, early runner Twirling Queen, and Kairyu separated by a neck and two noses. Paco Lopez rode the pressing winner for Mike Trombetta and the final time was 1:01.08 (rail at 12 feet). Future Is Now got a 99 BSF.
Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks (3yo fillies, 9f): Due to a barn quarantine, expected pacesetter La Cara scratched. Longshot Sweet Seraphine also scratched. That left a 4-horse field and 2-year-old filly champ Immersive was the strong favorite, but she took a back seat to Scottish Lassie. The latter was intent on the lead under Joel Rosario and she put away Immersive and romped by 15 1/2 lengths in a strong effort. She paid $6.70 to win. Immersive was clearly second best and ended up 6 lengths in front of Dry Powder. Take Charge Milady trailed. The final time was 1:50.23 and Scottish Lassie will got next in the G1 Alabama at SAR on Aug. 16 or the G1 Cotillion at Parx on Sept. 20. Immersive is not expected to run in the Alabama. Her stablemate Good Cheer is expected to run in that race for Brad Cox. La Cara is expected to train up to the Alabama, and Mark Casse might also run his multiple stakes winning turf filly Nitrogen in the Alabama. Scottish Lassie got a 99 BSF for her victory in the CCAO.
Grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (3up, 6f dirt): Full Moon Madness and Skelly scratched. With expected pacesetter Skelly out, I had high hopes for my top choice Mullikin, who looked like the possible main speed. Damon’s Mound was aggressively handled early under Junior Alvarado and he battled with Mullikin through fractions of 22.07 and 44.65. Mullikin got the lead and was confronted by race favorite Book’em Danno in the lane, and the chalk was on the move and got clear by 2 1/2 lengths. Mullikin was clearly second best in a good effort and Nakatomi nipped Damond’s Mound by a nose for the show. Baby Yoda and Nash also ran. Paco Lopez rode the popular winner for Derek Ryan. The final time was a swift 1:08.98 and the winner got a strong 111 BSF.
July 20
Grade 2 Honorable Miss (F&M, 6f sloppy sealed track): Big upset in this race. Scylla was the solid favorite but I thought this race was too short for her and that turned out to be the case. R Disaster was the target and it looked like she might go all the way, but Halina’s Forte stalked from the inside post and got up to win by a half-length at 24-1 odds. R Disaster was a clear second and Scylla ran on for the show. My top choice Jody’s Pride stalked wide from the outside post and was best of the rest in fourth in the 8-horse field. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for Phil Bauer and Halina’s Forte stopped the clock in 1:09.87.
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