Saratoga is always about the present and the future, with a nod to a historically glorious past.
As the season draws to a close this weekend, we reflect on the stars of today who showcased their brilliance at this meet, in particular Sovereignty and Nitrogen in the Whitney Stakes (G1).
The two leading Grade 1 events for 3-year-olds both served as coming-out parties for emerging stars. The Travers Stakes (Leading Change) and the Alabama for fillies (My Gun’s Loaded) were won by horses short on experience but long on talent.
And then there are the 2-year-olds, on their way to bigger and better things. This showcase meet features some of the sport’s brightest prospects, whether they are debuting or stepping up to face increasingly challenging stakes competition.
The babies are in the spotlight on the final weekend with a pair of 7-furlong $300,000 Grade 1 stakes: the Spinaway Stakes for fillies on Saturday and the Hopeful on Sunday.
Handicapping 2-year-olds is always a challenge as we delve into the Spinaway, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” gateway to the BC Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Oct. 30 at Keeneland.
The resumes are thin at this stage as none of the eight entrants have run more than twice. The gold we seek is an indication of brilliance from a very small body of work.
We think we’ve found it with the well-named Summer Starlet. She debuted for trainer Steve Asmussen on Aug. 8 and pulled off a 15-1 upset in grand style. Racing at the tail of the field in the early stages, Summer Starlet flew through the lane to draw off by 6 ½ lengths. She posted impressive speed and pace figures in the process that suggest there’s lots more in the tank.
The Spinaway is a half-furlong longer than her maiden win, which should perfectly suit her running style. And style is the key here. Many young horses are headstrong, bound, and determined to get right to the front. Summer Starlet’s ability to sit and wait for a cue from jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. gives her a huge tactical edge.
Harper’s Corner is a perfect 2-for-2, including a stakes win at Saratoga in the Schuylerville Stakes in early July. She hasn’t run since then for trainer Cal Lynch. Unlike Summer Starlet, Harper’s Corner is a speedster. Look for her right on the pace from the first jump out of the gate.
And don’t overlook the million-dollar baby: Life Changing from the Todd Pletcher barn. Owner Mike Repole plunked down $1,025,000 at last summer’s Saratoga sales to acquire the daughter of Life Is Good. She has run one time and impressed with a front-running victory after fending off early pressure to win by seven widening lengths as the 2-1 favorite.
“She just popped the gate and did everything professionally,” Repole said. “Down the lane, she did everything. She galloped out great. We think she’s really, really special. When you are a 2-year-old in Saratoga, and you win your maiden, and you are going against 10 horses who have done the same thing. It’s a step up, but her time was great. Todd really loves her, and I think she is going to be a special, special filly.”
Todd, as in Pletcher, has an idea of what it takes to win the Spinaway. He has already won the stakes a record seven times.
The other stakes winner in the field is Stress Relief, winner of Saratoga’s Adirondack (G3) with a stout rally for trainer Kinnon LaRose.
The Adirondack was the first graded stakes win for LaRose, a native of Ogdensburg, New York, who played basketball at Siena University and Sacred Heart University before going on to a career in racing. LaRose worked for Tom Amoss before taking over as lead trainer upon Amoss’ retirement from training this spring.
“She ran a great race in the Adirondack,” said LaRose. “She’s a very straightforward, classy filly. She came out of the race well, has been eating well, so, knock on wood, everything is going well to this point.”
With an eye on our immediate wagering future, here are the selections for the Spinaway, set for 5:45 p.m. ET.
The Field for the $300,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1), from the rail out, with jockey, trainer, odds:
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bandmaster (KY) | J Lezcano | O S Barrera III | 30-1 |
| 2 | Summer Starlet (KY) | R Santana, Jr. | S M Asmussen | 2-1 |
| 3 | Cha Cha Baby (KY) | M J Sanchez | R E Reid, Jr. | 15-1 |
| 4 | Stress Relief (KY) | J Alvarado | K LaRose | 8-1 |
| 5 | Girvy Girl (KY) | M J Husbands | S A Joseph, Jr. | 8-1 |
| 6 | Harper's Corner (KY) | P Lopez | C A Lynch | 5-1 |
| 7 | Angel of Kirk (KY) | M Franco | B H Cox | 9-2 |
| 8 | Life Changing (KY) | F Prat | T A Pletcher | 5-2 |
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
