Saratoga Stakes Previews: G1’s Forego, Ballerina & Sword Dancer

Posted On 20 Aug 2024

Mullikin streaks into G1 Forego

By Christian Abdo

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Siena Farm and WinStar Farm’s graded stakes-winner Mullikin brings a three-race win streak into Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, a seven-furlong sprint for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Rodolphe Brisset, the Violence dark bay has yet to meet his match as a 4-year-old, entering the Forego 3-for-3 on the year with a last-out triumph in the Grade 2 John A. Nerud on July 6 at Belmont at the Big A.

In the seven-furlong Nerud, Mullikin tracked the early pacesetter before taking over at the top of the lane and fending off a hard-trying Coastal Mission to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The performance earned a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure.

“The time between races was the plan all along. We like the seven weeks between races for him. He ran pretty fast on a hot day at Aqueduct when he won the Nerud,” said Brisset. “We gave him three weeks of galloping to give him a little bit of a refresher. Since then, he has been working very steadily.”

Mullikin’s most recent move was a half-mile in 47.20 seconds on August 17 over the Keeneland dirt. He posted a faster time than workmate and last-out local Grade 2 Amsterdam-winning sophomore World Record [47.60].

“Mullikin broke off a half length behind at the hip of World Record. They were very good together on the bridle,” said Brisset.

Flavien Prat will be aboard from post 6.

Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber and Jerold Zaro’s graded stakes-winner Baby Yoda [post 4, Tyler Gaffalione] looks to rebound after a well-beaten fourth in the six-furlong Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on July 27 here.

Trained by Bill Mott, the 6-year-old Prospective gelding showed he still more than holds his own as a top sprinter with a six-length romp of the Grade 2 True North presented by F.W. Webb on June 8 Belmont Stakes Day at the Spa.

Baby Yoda brings Grade 1 Forego experience, finishing fourth in 2022’s edition won by next-out Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile-winner Cody’s Wish. Baby Yoda also holds a field-best 114 Beyer, earned as a sophomore in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance score in September 2021 here.

Three Chimneys Farm’s Grade 1-winner Gun Pilot [post 1, Cristian Torres] was a well-beaten third as the favorite in the True North won by Baby Yoda. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the 4-year-old Gun Runner bay entered that try from a comfortable 2 1/2-length score in the seven-furlong Grade 1 Churchill Downs on May 4 Kentucky Derby Day.

His sire, the Three Chimneys co-owned and Asmussen-trained Hall of Famer Gun Runner, won four Grade 1s at age 4. Gun Pilot looks to add a second top-level score to his name on the year.

Asmussen took this event last year with Gunite, in addition to past scores with Yaupon [2021] and Mitole [2019], that year’s Champion Male Sprinter.

Wathnan’s Racing Cagliostro [post 8, Jose Ortiz] has not run at less than one-mile since an off-the-board racing debut 11 starts ago in September 2022 here. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the 4-year-old Upstart bay placed in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Blame in June at Churchill, in addition to a pair of 1 1/16-mile Grade 3-placings last year, including the Smarty Jones [2nd] at Parx Racing and Indiana Derby [3rd] at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Cagliostro won the one-mile Listed Hanshin last-out on June 30 at Churchill, but will shorten up one furlong.

“It is a cutback in distance, but he ran so well at one mile that it should be in his wheelhouse,” said DeVaux. “He seems a little distance-limited with the way he is running, which isn’t a problem. He has shown a lot of speed and versatility. I think one mile is his best distance, but you have to find the best fit given the options.”

Rigney Racing’s Angkor [post 7, Irad Ortiz, Jr.] has made his last two outings in stakes company, most recently finishing second to the next-out Grade 1-placed Closethegame Sugar in the Listed Kelly’s Landing on June 29 at Churchill. Trained by Phil Bauer, the 6-year-old Anchor Down gelding will likely need to improve from a figures standpoint but he picks up the services of meet-leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.

“He’s doing good. The horse really hasn’t missed a beat since we came up here and everything is pointing in the right direction,” said Bauer. “Irad is going to ride him and he worked him the past couple of weeks and really likes him. He’s familiar with the horse because he’s run against him. I think he’s a good fit.”

Entering Sunday, August 18th, Bauer boasts an impressive 5-for-10 record at the Saratoga-meet.

Bauer said that by excusing Angkor’s misfire in the Listed Aristides in June at Churchill, he becomes yet another win candidate in the barn.

“He brings his race every time and the Aristides is a race you can put a line through. It was nice to see him return to form last out,” said Bauer. “We gave him plenty of time coming into this one. Hopefully he runs his race. The horse to me seems to have gotten better the older he’s gotten.”

Tom Durant’s graded stakes-placed Run Classic [post 5, Javier Castellano] traveled to Dubai for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen in March at Meydan Racecourse for trainer Jose D’Angelo. The Runhappy dark bay finished 7th-of-14 and returned to the states with a runner-up finish in the Listed Smile Sprint in July at Gulfstream Park.

Run Classic won his first start for D’Angelo in the Listed Gulfstream Park Sprint in February. He was previously conditioned by Bret Calhoun, posting an impressive 105 Beyer in an optional-claiming sprint win in October 2022 at Keeneland.

Rounding out the field are Grade 1-placed Twisted Ride [post 2, Kendrick Carmouche] for trainer Michael Moore and dual stakes-winner Full Screen [post 3, Dylan Davis] for Hall of Famer Mark Casse.

The Forego is slated as Race 11, on Saturday’s 14-race card that features the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers [Race 13]; the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer [Race 9]; the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap [Race 10]; and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial [Race 12]. First post is 11:20 a.m. Eastern. Gates open at 9 a.m.

An expanded edition of Saratoga Live will begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern on FS2 with continuing coverage on FS1 at 1:30 p.m. FOX Saratoga Saturday will present live coverage of the DraftKings Travers Day stakes action plus analysis in a special broadcast on FOX beginning at 3 p.m.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Vahva has the credentials for G1 Ballerina H.

By Christian Abdo

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Grade 1-winner Vahva has solidified herself as one of the top dirt sprinting females in the nation and looks to bolster that stance in Saturday’s Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap, a seven-furlong main track sprint for fillies and mares, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the 4-year-old Gun Runner bay has won four of her last five starts, all made at seven furlongs, including the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff in May and the Grade 3 Chicago last-out on June 22 at Churchill Downs. Her sophomore campaign ended with wins in August’s Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks at its namesake track and October’s Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland.

A win in the Ballerina punches a “Win and You’re In” ticket to this year’s Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, contested in November at Del Mar.

“We will use this and the Breeders’ Cup, and hopefully she has a good experience in both,” said DeVaux. “I’m very confident that she is one of the top sprinters in the division.”

Vahva has prepared for the Ballerina extensively at Keeneland, including a half-mile breeze in 49.20 seconds on August 17.

“She’s doing really well. This is a race that we targeted early in the year,” DeVaux said. “She shows up every time and runs her race. That is all we can ask of her.”

Vahva, a $280,000 purchase at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, is out of the Grade 1-placed Harlan’s Holiday mare Holiday Soiree. She is campaigned by Belladonna Racing, Lynne Hudson, Edward Hudson, Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Nice Guys Stables, Twin Brook Stables, Steve Hornstock, LBD Stable, Manganaro Bloodstock and Runnels Racing.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. will be aboard from post 3 assigned a field-high 124 pounds.

Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds’ Grade 1-winner Society [post 4, Tyler Gaffalione, 119 pounds] brings a 7-for-13 record to the starting gate for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. The 5-year-old Gun Runner chestnut finished a 1 1/2-length third behind the victorious Vahva and reopossing Positano Sunset in the Chicago last-out after setting the pace and exchanging bumps with the winner in the stretch.

Society’s other losses have come to top racehorses, including 2022-2023 Champion Female Sprinter Goodnight Olive, 2022 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Nest, and 2021-2022 dual Champion female Malathaat.

In addition to class, Society brings a co-field-best 106 Beyer earned in a 5 1/2-length romp of the seven-furlong Pink Ribbon last August at Charles Town.

Asmussen captured this event last year with 2021 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Echo Zulu.

Four-time Eclipse Award-winner Chad Brown will have two chances to secure victory with Grade 2-winner Accede [post 7, Flavien Prat, 121 pounds] and Grade 3-winner Shidabhuti [post 6, Dylan Davis, 119 pounds].

Accede, a Kentucky homebred for Juddmonte, broke through at the graded level in her fourth attempt, capturing June’s seven-furlong Grade 2 Bed o’ Roses at Belmont at the Big A.

The 4-year-old Into Mischief bay next closed for a three-quarter-length second to Spirit Wind in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap when cutting back to six furlongs on July 24 here, the distance of a Keeneland optional-claimer she won in April.

“Accede is in good form right now and I love the way she’s training. It’s going to be a tough race,” said the meet-leading trainer Brown, who won this event in 2022 with Goodnight Olive.

Peter Brant’s Shidabhuti has made her last three efforts in graded company, including a closing win in the seven-furlong Grade 3 Distaff on April 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack. She was subsequently a well-beaten third in the Grade 2 Ruffian there going a one-turn mile before a fourth in the Bed o’ Roses won by Accede.

Brown said Shidabhuti’s late foot is enough for an ambitious Grade 1 attempt.

“Shidabhuti – putting her in there with that running style – she could pick up the minor awards. Maybe it sets up for her to grab third late,” said Brown. “It seems like a bit of a reach for her, she hasn’t run for a while. I’ve been struggling to find the right race.

“If she could grab a piece of a prestigious race like this, it would help her value,” Brown added.

Lawana and Robert E. Low’s Grade 1-placed Munnys Gold [post 8, John Velazquez, 117 pounds] looks to rebound from a fourth in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss. Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the 4-year-old Munnings ties Society for a field-best 106 Beyer from a 17 1/4-length romp of the Sophomore Fillies versus fellow Florida-breds last March at Tampa Bay Downs.

Munnys Gold is cross-entered in Friday’s Listed $150,000 Smart N Fancy, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint here for older fillies and mares.

Rounding out the field are Grade 1-winner Chi Town Lady [post 2, Jose Ortiz, 119 pounds] for trainer Wesley Ward; Grade 1-placed Scylla [post 5, Javier Castellano, 122 pounds], who was supplemented to this event for Hall of Famer Bill Mott; and Grade 3-placed Positano Sunset [post 1, Julien Leparoux, 118 pounds] for conditioner Ian Wilkes.

The Ballerina is slated as Race 10, on Saturday’s 14-race card that features the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers [Race 13]; the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer [Race 9]; the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego [Race 11]; and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial [Race 12]. First post is 11:20 a.m. Eastern. Gates open at 9 a.m.

Stablemates Measured Time and Silver Knott clash in G1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer

By Michael Adolphson

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Charlie Appleby continues his assault on North America’s top turf races when he saddles the potent pair of Measured Time and Silver Knott in Saturday’s Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational over 1 1/2 miles on Saratoga Race Course’s inner turf.

The $750,000 affair is one of five Grade 1 races on the day and provides a fees-paid automatic berth into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, which has been upped to $5 million for its renewal on November 2 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Godolphin homebred Measured Time was imperious when taking June’s Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan here under William Buick, who has the return call from post 2 carrying 126 pounds.

The Frankel colt was winning his sixth from eight starts in the 1 3/16-miles contest, defeating two next-out Grade / Group 1 winners in Nations Pride [Arlington Million] and Al Riffa [Grosser Preis von Berlin] – in the process. Stepping up to 12 furlongs for the first time on turf having previously posted a runner-up effort on synthetic in November at Kempton, he is a half-brother to Rebel’s Romance, who has won five Group 1s at the distance. Appleby seeks his 13th graded stakes win and fifth Grade 1 in America this year.

“We feel he should appreciate it,” Appleby said of the stretch-out in distance. “We’re therefore hopeful that we could see even more improvement from him.”

Also a 4-year-old, gelded Lope de Vega charge Silver Knott was the nose-beaten favorite in the 2022 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and has long been well-regarded by Godolphin.

A $1,035,915 Tattersalls October 2021 yearling purchase, he abandoned his bridesmaid era, including placing in four of his six runs during a winless 2023 season, thanks to an increase in distance. Out of classy Group 1-winning mare God Given, a Group 2 winner over 14.5 furlongs, the millionaire has won his three efforts this season – all at 11 or 12 furlongs, including Keeneland’s Grade 2 Elkhorn on April 20, Aqueduct’s Grade 2 Man o’ War on May 11 and Saratoga’s Grade 2 Bowling Green on July 28 in course record time of 2:11.03.

Flavien Prat has been aboard for the triad and returns from post 4 carrying 124 pounds.

“Silver Knott is tried and tested, as we well know,” Appleby continued. “He goes there in great shape. We thought he deserved to have another crack at Grade 1 company. He’s in there if by any chance that Measured Time doesn’t happen to see the trip out, he’s guaranteed to. Both worked well during the week, as we know. We have two very live players, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Trainer Christophe Clement has won a record four editions of the Sword Dancer, most recently the 2021-22 renewals with Gufo, and sends out a pair of his own in Grade 1 winner Far Bridge [post 3, Joel Rosario, 120 pounds] and six-time Grade 1-placed Soldier Rising [post 1, Jose Ortiz, 120 pounds].

The former, owned by LSU Stables, was a respectable third in Measured Time’s Manhattan, but failed to fire in Monmonth Park’s Grade 2 United Nations on July 20 – his first run around three bends. He seeks to return to the winner’s enclosure for the first time since the 2023 Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational.

“He worked Monday [August 12] on the grass and it was a nice easy work after the United Nations try,” Clement said. “Not really sure what happened in that race, but we will look to bounce back in the Sword Dancer.”

Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey, Wonder Stables and Michael J. Caruso’s Soldier Rising has taken home more silver than a kleptomaniac in a fine-dining restaurant, finishing second for the 11th time in 22 career starts and sixth in his past seven runs in the aforementioned Bowling Green.

After a third and second in the past two Sword Dancers, the son of Frankel hopes to do one better, as well as achieve his first stakes victory, when he makes his second start of the season.

“He worked well on Monday [August 12] and he looks good,” Clement said. “He is a very hard-trying horse. He always shows up and runs his race. People like to poke fun at him for running second, but there aren’t many horses out there who are as consistent as he is.”

Whisper Hill Farm’s homebred United Nations runner-up Grand Sonata [post 6, Javier Castellano, 120 pounds] represents Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, who seeks his second Sword Dancer, having landed the 2006 edition with another homebred who came off a big 11-furlong effort, Wertheimer and Frere’s Go Deputy.

Like Go Deputy [by Deputy Minister], who prepped victoriously in the Bowling Green, Grand Sonata, by Medaglia d’Oro, seeks his second graded stakes win in the Sword Dancer and hails from a remarkably dexterous pedigree. Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, who seeks a record-tying fourth Sword Dancer, has the call.

“I thought he ran great in the United Nations and just missed,” Pletcher said. “He is a pretty versatile horse. He has ran well at multiple distances and a mile and a half suits him well.”

Completing the sextet is A. Bianco Holding Limited’s Pioneering Spirit [post 5, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 120 pounds], who exits a second in Saratoga’s rained-off Fasig-Tipton Lure on August 3 and finished a distant third astern Bolshoi Ballet and Soldier Rising in last year’s Sword Dancer. A winner of a pair of Listed affairs since, including the 1 1/16-mile Bernard Baruch in September here, the hard-knocking son of American Pharaoh will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.

The Sword Dancer is slated as Race 9 on Saturday’s 14-race card that features the Grade 1, $1.25 million DraftKings Travers [Race 13]; the Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap [Race 10]; the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego [Race 11]; and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial [race 12]. First post is 11:20 a.m. Eastern.

Saratoga Live will present live coverage and analysis of the Saratoga Race Course summer meet on the networks of FOX Sports. For the broadcast schedule and channel finder, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule/.

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