Stallsome has had a successful career running long on the grass, and is likely in the right barn to continue to do so, but coming off a disappointing race in the Bowling Green, there were not many who believed he would win the Sword Dancer. He was only picked a couple times in the “Pick ‘em”, and went off at 15/1, the second longest shot on the board.
Grade I
Dead Heat in The Personal Ensign
The obligatory weekend big race dead heat occurred in The Personal Ensign this week, as Drink Me Pretty and Miss Steel Mazula could not be separated after nine furlongs. It was a race that did not have a huge favorite, but Drink Me Pretty was among the top choices with Miss Steel Mazula being a little more of a longshot.
Winchester Foregoes Routes to Win The Forego
Fractious picked up Winchester in private sales in April for $250.000, but the horse had not given him much to be excited about. There was a fourth place run in the MTH Cup, but other than that, Winchester had not stepped up. That would all change in the Forego, as he would run under a mile for the first time since November 2019, and that proved to be the answer to getting him back in the winners circle.
It’s Another Precise Performance in The Ballerina
The Ballerina – Grade I [BC] 7 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $500.000 Filly & Mare 3 Year Olds And Up. 1st Precise Performance Mb Stables Velazquez J R Only at HRP would you see… Read More ›
Grayte Cruise Caps Big Day at Spa for Fractious, Takes The Travers
8/28/21 11 SAR The Travers (GI) $1,250.000 3yo 1 1/4m Dirt 122lbs I just had a feeling that Grayte Cruise was ready to pull the upset, and as Fractious mowed through many of the big stakes here at… Read More ›
Can Anyone Beat HOTH in The Travers?
8/28/21 11 SAR The Travers (GI) $1,250.000 3yo 1 1/4m Dirt 122lbs You know summer is coming to a close when it’s time for The Travers (GI) and the big race is upon us… we get a nice… Read More ›
Who Will Dance to the BC in The Ballerina
The Ballerina – Grade I [BC]SAR Race #7 7f Dirt Graded StakePurse $500.000 For Fillies And Mares Three Years Old And Upward. A big field of hopefuls here trying to win their place into the BC in November. Three year… Read More ›
Old Timer May Be the One to Beat in The Sword Dancer
As we draw closer to the Travers, we will get a chance to see an excellent race featuring BC Turf hopefuls in the 19th running of the Grade 1 Sword Dancer. This race sends older horses twelve furlongs around the inner turf course while paying very valuable BC points.
Strong Field Lined Up for The Forego
Some of the best sprinters in the game will be at the Spa for the 19th running of the Grade 1 Forego, sending older horses seven furlongs along the main track. 2020 was the first year that three year olds were excluded from the race, and that trend continues this year. Fortunately, what does return is the $600.000 purse, after being reduced last year.
Empire World Hopes to Stay Hot in The Personal Ensign
It’s Travers Day at Saratoga, but the excitement of this day can also be felt throughout the undercard with many Grade 1 races offering great purses and valuable BC points. I’ll start my look at these races with the Personal Ensign, a stake for older females going nine furlongs that runs for the 18th time.
