The 16th Running of The Glens Falls (G2)

August 7, 2021 15:00

SAR Race #7 $250.000 1¹/₂ Inner Turf

Fillies and Mares 4YO+ 123 Lbs 

Track Record-2:24.36 (Classical Composer-2015)

Stakes Record-1st Time Running at 1¹/₂

This is what Summer racing at SAR is all about!  $250.000 will be on the line when The Glens Falls (G2) is contested over 12-furlongs for the first time Saturday.  In the previous 15 editions of this Spa staple, the distaffers had to navigate 1³/₈ over the inner turf course so credit SAR management for changing things up for this one.  Mb Stables claimed two of those 11-furlong contests (2013, 2018) while jockey J.R. Velazquez had his picture taken three times (2011, 2013, 2019) for his winning rides.  This year’s line-up looks to be among the best HRP has seen for this event so expectations are high for a thrilling renewal of The Glens Falls (G2).  Here’s the skinny on the nine fillies and mares who will look to etch their names into the history books at one of HRP’s most iconic locales:

#1 Number Nine (Smokey Stover/T. Gaffalione): 5yo daughter of Niner Forty Niner will be making her debut for new connections since being purchased for $400.000 on June 16.  That transaction was completed following an inexplicably poor performance in the June 6 G2 NY.  Worked extremely well in the lone published work since donning the Smokey Stover silks and continued to demonstrate her affinity for Saturday’s distance (7-5-1-0) with consecutive front-running scores in the January 13 G3 Astra Stakes and April 23 G3 Bewitch at SA and KEE, respectively.  Looks primed for a much-improved effort for her new connections.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “I hope she can rebound off her last race! She seems to run her best on the lead. She has run her best races using an instruction I have rarely used before so I have a decision to make.”

#2 Maya Caribe (First Street Stables/F. Prat): Have to admire the consistency of this 4yo daughter of Spanish Capitano with 13 trifecta finishes in 14 career starts.  Last seen winning the $100.000 River Memories at BEL over same distance as this, so should get all of this marathon trip.  Appears to be blessed with a high-cruising speed with the ability to finish and doesn’t look like the type who will back down from a fight.  Gets a class test in this for sure, but June 16 work puts her right in the mix.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “Thanks for reaching out.  Maya Caribe has come into her own as a 4yo, certainly a late bloomer.  Always been a performer for me, with 13 finishes in the money out of 14 starts.  This race is quite a step up for her, but in Graded Stakes coming up, this was the best (only) fit.  She’s proven that she can run at 1 1/2 miles; her last win was 6th fastest for the 27 4yo fillies that have raced at 1 1/2T.  There are some impressive older mares to compete with in this race; I worry about Number Nine and Fashionable.  Number Nine has won at this distance 5 of the 7 times she’s run it and Fashionable has won at the G2 and G3 levels already, can she go 1 1/2T.”

#3 Sancerre (Mo Mentum Farm/E. Jaramillo): 4yo homebred daughter of Believe In Opus just missed in her latest try in the aforementioned River Memories at BEL.  That fits the narrative for this girl as she has yet to win a stakes; however she has hit the board in four of five such attempts.  Much like the two ladies drawn inside of her, she appears quick enough to be involved from the beginning and should stay every step of the trip, but will have to be prepared to run a career-best to prevail.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “I was really impressed with Sancere‘s last race at a mile and a half on the turf. She battled the entire way, noses apart with the horse inside her in this one Maya Caribe. Strictly from an entertainment point of view, even though she didn’t win, it was actually one of the most enjoyable races I’ve seen in my 16+ years here. Not only was it fun to watch, there was a long way back to third it told me she’s best going this marathon distance. There aren’t many options going this long, so I thought I’d take a shot. I’m happy to have an inside post and one of the top jockey’s at HRP.”  

#4 De Nada (TwinTowersRacing/G. Saez): NY-bred daughter of Commander In Chief was claimed for $32.000 on February 28 and is winless in three ALW tries for the new conditioner.  Gets thrown in the deep end for this, but this conditioner doesn’t enter these types of races to donate.  Her best hope may be to drop back, hope the pace gets crazy up front, and try to pass enough of these to take home a check.  It appears to be a big ask, but crazier things have happened.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “Entering this horse was a last second decision. I wanted to see what she is really made of. I know she is up against it but I like the action. I am happy with the draw and I’m hoping she gives a good account of herself stretching out some.”

#5 Jensen (Night Rider Stables/J.J. Castellano): Claimed for $6.250 back in October, this 5yo daughter of No Dice has proven useful for the new conditioner as she has a win in the $60.000 Sis City and a place in the G2 Ruffian Handicap from two starts this year.  Both of those races were run at a mile on the dirt so, safe to say, this will be a different scenario with which she has to deal.  Plenty of turf racing earlier in her career (9-1-2-2 $31.840), but nothing that would remotely resemble what she faces here.  Still, she has hit the board in nine straight overall and her last two races show that she will give her all for the new barn.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “I ended up in this race because i think shes BC quality.  I also think she will relish the distance but you never know until you try. While shes proven on dirt, I’m already stacked with Laffy Crack and Forever Phooey Party, so I’m hoping she ends up in the BC F&M Turf. This will be the race that gives me a better idead of what path to take to the BC.”

#6 Fashionable (Mb Stables/S. Ryan): The winner of the July 10 G2 DEL Handicap going 1¹/₄ on the dirt in her last, the 4yo daughter of Grande Sournoise will try the turf for the first time since late December of her juvenile season.  She has multiple graded wins on the main track, so safe to say that this conditioner is confident that her form will transfer over to the lawn.  In her two 10-furlong tries on the dirt, she pressed the pace and won a G3 and a G2; if that form carries over, she should have every chance to have announce her presence with authority in here.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “Taking a big shot here to switch surfaces, but I know mine will appreciate the distance so I hope she’s in with a shot at the end.”

#7 Maggie Greene (The Sidley Stud/J.R. Velazquez): What do you say about a horse that is making her 31st consecutive start in a graded turf event that hasn’t been said before?  Purchased as a yearling for a paltry $6.770, this gal has been expertly handled on her way to a career that currently stands at 43-14-7-8 for earnings of $3,694.830.  If HRP ever wanted to advertise, this would be the star of the commercial.  Already a four time BC entrant and the defending champion of the BC F&M Turf, this 6yo daughter of Walkin Dead has seen a million faces…and rocked them all!  All of that aside, she comes to upstate NY in need of BC points to improve her current 13th-placed ranking for this year.  Captain Obvious says, “Her best makes her extremely tough and even though we haven’t really seen her fastball in 2021, you dismiss her at your own peril.”  Trainer’s Thoughts: Unavailable at Press Time.  

#8 Ete Creek (Gdp Inc/D. Davis): It’s back on the turf and back to the fairer sex for this 4yo daughter of Bottom Bay.  If you throw out that effort over the “soft” KEE lawn back in April, you really have to dig to find a race on the grass where she wasn’t at least extremely competitive.  Davis will have some work to do from this draw, but if he gets it right, this gal could be sitting just behind multiple horses on the front end with the chance to get first run on those behind her.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “I’m not excited about her post, but also not too worried about it, either. She didn’t have an instruction last out, and HL wasn’t a good approach. Hopefully being back in vs the gals makes her competitive again!”

#9 Built For Speed (First Flight Stable/J. Lezcano): Giaco-sired 7yo took a circuitous path to get here, but she is a great example of how patient handling can work here at HRP.  Still a maiden after five attempts as a juvenile, she took a nine-month vacation before returning to the races.  After that unsuccessful maiden try, was away for 14-months before a winning 4yo seasonal debut.  Opened-up her 5yo season with two wins while in for a tag at LRL where the light finally went on.  Truly a mare that wants every blade of grass included in this 12-furlong trip.  Not sure she can win, but would not be one bit surprised to see her exciting the SAR crowd in what may be the finale of a truly remarkable career.  Trainer’s Thoughts: “I’m pretty sure it’s her last race. Win lose or draw, she’s off to the breeding shed. She’s the only horse I’ve ever had any inkling what I was doing… she is a mile and a half horse and even if she won I wouldn’t try anything beyond so…She will be ready, it’s up to her how she goes out.”

Final Analysis: This preview was a joy to put together because of the horses and the individuals involved; I am truly grateful for the opportunity.  Offering alternate endings because the head and heart can’t quite agree.  Special shout-out to all of the connections who were so gracious with their time and thoughts.  Good luck to all in The Glens Falls (G2).  

Heart says 7-9-8

Head says 1-6-8-7

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES