The Smart and Fancy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, August 14, is a $200,000 turf sprint for fillies and mares going 5½ furlongs. The scheduled post time is 5:44 p.m. ET.
The race features a highly competitive group, and here is a look at the field and the top contenders.
Smart and Fancy Stakes Field
1. Me Governor (12-1)
Me Governor enters this race after finishing fourth, beaten a length, in a 5½-furlong turf race at Churchill Downs on June 28. She was claimed for $100,000 out of that race by trainer Joe Sharp, who has a solid record with horses making their first start after a claim.
She has raced nine times at 5½ furlongs, winning twice while adding a second and two thirds. Her ability to use different running styles could be an asset in a race with several horses likely to show speed. At her morning-line price, she is an interesting candidate to hit the board.
2. Delightful Flame (10-1)
Delightful Flame figures to be one of the main pace factors. She won her most recent start going wire to wire from the inside post in a six-furlong turf optional-claiming race.
Her lone turf start at Saratoga came in the Galway Stakes last summer and she chased the pace and faded to last of nine. If she can establish a comfortable lead, she could make things difficult for the closers, but that scenario seems unlikely.
3. Praying (8-1)
Praying makes a surface switch for trainer Robert Medina, moving from dirt to turf. Medina has a modest record with first-time turf starters, but the pedigree provides some encouragement. Her sire, Vekoma, has produced a respectable percentage of first-time turf runners, and her dam has produced a turf winner.
The bigger concern is current form. She has struggled in her last several starts, including Grade 1 and Grade 2 competition. She did post a solid turf workout at Saratoga on August 7, going four furlongs in 48.40 seconds, second-fastest of 24 horses. A return to her best form would make her interesting, but she has plenty to prove.
4. Le Amazonia (8-1)
Le Amazonia has been consistent, recording 11 top-two finishes in 14 starts. She has also shown an affinity for abbreviated turf sprints.
She has finished second in each of her last two starts at five furlongs on turf, and she has demonstrated the ability to rally from farther back when circumstances require it. Junior Alvarado reunites with her after guiding her to victory at Gulfstream Park earlier this year. Her versatility makes her a realistic contender to hit the board.
5. Capturing (5-1)
Capturing has finished in the top three in eight of her nine starts, including three victories, and two of those wins came at 5½ furlongs on turf.
She has also already won at Saratoga at this distance. At Keeneland in April, she tracked the pace in a 12-horse field before drawing away to win by 2¼ lengths at 5½ furlongs. She returned to Saratoga on July 10 and rallied to win a seven-horse optional-claiming race by a nose.
The distance appears to be ideal, she handles the Saratoga turf, and she should get the pace scenario she needs. Trainer Todd Pletcher’s Saratoga stable has also been showing improved form after a slow start to the meet.
The biggest question is whether Irad Ortiz Jr. will be able to ride. Ortiz has been dealing with a foot issue and his status is day-to-day.
6. Miss Vyvyanne (5-2)
Miss Vyvyanne is the most accomplished winner in the field, with 12 victories from 25 starts. She is also 6-for-7 in abbreviated turf sprints and 7-for-10 overall on turf.
She enters off a Grade 2 victory at Woodbine, where she went wire to wire at five furlongs. She has been in excellent form for much of the past year and possesses the early speed to make the lead.
The question is whether she can carry that speed an extra half-furlong. If she gets loose or establishes reasonable fractions, however, she could be extremely difficult to catch.
7. Itzel (8-1)
Itzel is another likely pace player. She set the pace before finishing second in a stakes race at Ellis Park last time out, going 5½ furlongs on yielding turf.
Her overall 2026 form is strong: five starts with two wins and three runner-up finishes. Tyler Gaffalione takes over in the saddle, and she figures to be part of the early pace battle.
8. Ratu Jawa (50-1)
Ratu Jawa faces a difficult assignment. She has just one victory from eight starts and is winless in three attempts at this distance and four starts on turf.
She did finish fourth, beaten a little more than three lengths, in her last start at 19-1 odds, but this is a substantially tougher spot. She will need to improve significantly to factor.
9. Zeitlos (2-1)
Zeitlos is the morning-line favorite, but she is still searching for her first turf victory. She has five turf starts with three runner-up finishes, including two seconds at Saratoga at this distance.
She rallied from last in a nine-horse field to finish second in last year’s Grade 3 Caress Stakes. This year, she again finished second in the Caress, which was upgraded to Grade 2 status.
Zeitlos should get plenty of pace to chase, and Jose Ortiz returns in the saddle. The concern is that she has repeatedly come close without winning on turf. She also benefited from a strong pace setup and an inside trip in her most recent race.
