Turf marathons unfold slowly, like a long novel, and often have a plot twist at the end. There may be no change in the running order until the stretch, and then the real race begins.
That’s particularly true of three-turn events such as the 1 3/8-mile Bowling Green Stakes (G2), which has been testing the stamina of top-class grass runners since 1958. Saturday’s $250,000 feature at Saratoga drew seven entries that make up a tricky handicapping puzzle.
Ole Crazy Bone, Soleil Volant, Desvio, and Carson’s Run have won going 11 furlongs or farther. Only Carson’s Run has a victory over the course – he has two – but he’s 0-for-5 since July 2024. The 2-1 morning-line favorite is Minaret Station, a powerful finisher but an unknown beyond 1 1/16 miles. The likely moderate pace will make it harder for him.
The wild card is Fort George, who spent the winter in Dubai, where he ran second to two-time Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner Rebel’s Romance, one of the century’s top grass marathoners.
England-based Ed Walker and jockey Kieran Shoemark thrived at Meydan with Fort George. The 4-year-old gelding had a win and two seconds in four races, all stakes. Ignore his ninth-place finish in the Dubai Turf (G1) behind superstar Ombudsman, a Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot in his next race.
Walker on Fort George: “He’s a very tough horse, very genuine. For a few strides, we thought we were going to give Rebel’s Romance a bit of a fright. He’s a legend of international racing, so it was amazing to be competing with him, let alone finish second.”
For those who like to bet on horse racing, here’s a horse-by-horse analysis of the Bowling Green (post time: 5:39 p.m. ET) from the rail out, with trainer, jockey, and odds.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ole Crazy Bone | F Prat | M J Maker | 5/2 |
| 2 | Soleil Volant | T Gaffalione | H G Motion | 12/1 |
| 3 | Desvio | J R Velazquez | M F Meyers | 12/1 |
| 4 | Fort George | K Shoemark | E Walker | 9/5 |
| 5 | Carson's Run | J Rosario | M Clement | 10/1 |
| 6 | Minaret Station | J L Ortiz | W Walden | 2/1 |
| 7 | Carcano | M Franco | V H Oliver | 15/1 |
Last Updated on 07/08/2026
(Yo Daddy, Kinetic, and Dr. Kraft are entered for the main track only.)
Looks like another shrewd claim by Maker (a win, two seconds in three starts). His tactical speed gives him an edge in a field without much pace. Prat is brilliant at exploiting such situations while “waiting in front.”
Out of the money only once in his last six starts, he ran a strong second with a top speed figure in his only 2026 start, at 1 1/16 miles. Won last summer going 1½, and Maker specializes in stretching out turf horses.
Stamina isn’t a problem, but weak speed figures are a concern. Wide-trip second last time in 1½-mile listed stakes after winning his only try at 1 3/8 (optional claimer).
He’s 0-for-2, beaten by a total of 14 lengths, this year, and in a 1-for-10 slump. The victory in the 1½-mile Sycamore (G2) was a 34-1 shocker on a wet course. Looks like a fluke.
His company lines (Rebel’s Romance, Ombudsman) are by far the best in the field, and he’s 8-for-9 in the money on grass. Negatives: Hasn’t run since March, and Saratoga’s tight turns are an unfamiliar challenge.
He loves the course (2-for-4, one second) but is off form (0-for-5, in the money once since July 2024). Clement is optimistic, though.
“I think he should appreciate the distance,” he said. “More importantly, I think he’s training very well at Saratoga. It took us a little bit of time to get him back into form, but lately he’s giving us every indication he’s back to his best.”
Blasted home when second last time at 1 1/16 miles, rocketing the final sixteenth in about 5½ seconds. Walden, like Clement, is a young trainer whose career is off to a terrific start. The distance question doesn’t worry him.
“I can’t express enough how talented I think this horse is,” he said before his last race. “I want to get him around three turns, and even 10-plus furlongs. His game could even take a step forward.”
On Saturday, we’ll find out.
This is a brutal spot for a 6-year-old’s first stakes. No chance.
Ed McNamara is an award-winning racing writer who has covered the sport since 1981 for The Bergen (N.J.) Record, Newsday, ESPN, Thorocap, and USRacing. He is the author of Cajun Racing: From the Bush Tracks to the Triple Crown and Racing Around the World, and a contributor to The Most Glorious Crown and The Racetracks of America. He has also written for racing publications in France and Italy.
