This event has attracted a field of eight runners, with Maxmillion Farm trying to retain this title from last season, but this time sending out Alydar Moon to the gate. Another who will be looking to grab back glory is Drabfantasy with Great Din.
The Waya- Grade III Purse $200.000
Saratoga Race Course- For Fillies & Mares Three Years old and Up
One Mile and a half – Inner Turf Course
August 4th, 2019
It is sometimes hard to win an event just once, but capturing a title three straight seasons while also setting the event record is an amazing feat. While Maxmillion Farm’s is looking for a repeat, Drabfantasy is hoping to capture win number four of the Gr. III Waya on Sunday. This trainer sent out Broomstick Copy in 2015, and the then three year old set the event record in a final time of 2:25.50. The filly would return the following season and reclaim the title once again. Along comes 2017, and this time Drab steals the spotlight once again, this season with Smokin Nebulae over a soft surface. The past three years have seen slower numbers with off track surfaces, but with track conditions looking to be more favorable on Sunday, numbers could be back up to par if not better at the line.
Weights– 3 Years old- 119 pounds. Older – 124
Changes- Youthful Presence– Re-adds Bute
Here’s this years field of ladies:
1 Moon Car ( Crocker Ggs ) Rider- Maldonado E – In his most recent two attempts at Grade III company events, this four year old gray has place fifth in both affairs. Took sixty days off to rest from her mile and a half race, and then picked up a victory against Alw55 company on the front throughout that race going a mile. Given just over thirty days rest for this race, so she should be a lively competitor. Works are consistent as well.
2 Change Perception ( Mb Stables ) Rider –Bejarano R– This five year old bay mare is coming off back to back wins entering this event. Scored a win two starts ago against Alw24.5 company, then snatched up the $75 Possibly Perfect Stakes at a mile and a quarter. While Maldonado has gone elsewhere, trainer is building a rapport with this jockey in recent weeks and the outcomes have been favorable. First time at the distance, but rider has won with him before. Will be hot late.
3 Alydar Moon ( Maxmillion Farm ) Rider – Saez L – Was purchased back in mid February and then her trainer went to work with her. She would be entered in the $100 Searching Stakes in her first event of the season after some 151 days off, and bring home the victory for that affair at today’s distance an footing. Now another 77 days later brings us to today. While she has only four career starts, she can rally in this one to be a threat. Works say she is ready.
4 Grand Dragonville ( Smokey Stover ) Rider- Velazquez J R. – Has been made the post time favorite in his past three events, as backers felt she was getting back to her BC Juvenile Fillies Turf form once again. Her most recent was the Gr. II Dance Smartly Stakes at a mile and a quarter, and she found herself battling a determined Festive throughout that affair. Don’t think the distance is a factor and with the return of Johnny V in the irons, could walk away with it all.
5 Nike Talk ( Czech Out Farms ) Rider- Castellano J J – Trainer is still looking for that first Graded victory, and after nine previous seasons, he is hoping today’s the day. Won the $90 Keertana two starts ago going twelve panels at Churchill, and maybe that effort can produce results here. Carried 123 pounds in her most recent runner-up finish to Change Perception, so if you like that one’s chances, the five pound allowance here should work well for her.
6 Great Din ( Drabfantasy ) Rider- Pennington F. – Trainer is back for another swipe at this title. This sophomore filly attempted the Gr. III Herecomesthebride Stakes back at the start of March with little success. Stepped away for 96 days off that disappointment and came back to capture an Alw16.9/N3L race on the top throughout by three lengths. That event was at today’s distance, and early fractions in this event will determine how she does today. Another plus sixty since her last. Possibilities??
7 Sovereign Nation ( Paradise Stable ) Rider – Cancel E – Go back to October of last season in the Gr. III Dowager to find this now six year old mare’s last victory. She hasn’t shied away from her program, competing in five more Grade III events since. Two of them were at today’s distance over at Santa Anita, but both left her shy of any purse money. She may just be feeling her age and needing a boost ( phenylbutazone) to help her back to form? Hard to see here.
8 Youthful Presence ( Joshua Stables ) Rider Gaffalione T. – Was purchased back in mid June at the Auction, and in her first attempt off the shelf for her new interests she would place second in the Penny Memorial Handicap to a 4-5 post time favorite. Will definitely use that event to tackle this affair, and while this distance has yet to be tested in her career, she has placed in the money seven out of ten starts, all being wins or runner-up finishes. Bute returns to her regiment today.
On This Date In History-
Barking Stables- This trainer would capture two victories this day in 2007. First Nickname would break his maiden on the turf at ELP, then Alnus Glutinosa would win the Franks Memorial Sales Stakes for two year olds. He would go on to win two more Non Graded titles while competing in another eight graded company events.
Neddynewnops UK- How many of you remember this former writer at the SRF and son of the British Isles with his Union Jack silks. He two would win two events on this date back in 2008. First Missile Dodger would break his maiden with a three length victory at Del Mar in his first try on the grass. He would go on to win three more of his eleven career victories with this trainer, then find himself with five different barns. The other was Virtual Venture who took home the Anderson Memorial Cup that day in its inaugural race. That event has not raced at the Fort since 2012.
Duffer
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
