Saratoga Race Course is known for its terrific 2-year-old racing, and all of the big barns plus some of the smaller stables with a nice juvenile or two target the meeting in upstate New York.
And fans of baby racing aren’t waiting long as 2-year-old action swings into high gear with the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes on Saturday.
The Sanford is one of three featured Stakes on the first Saturday card of the meet.
Here is a brief look at the field for the $175,000 dollar Sanford Stakes.
1. MENTEE [ML 6-5] Jockey: John Velazquez. Trainer: Todd Pletcher. This New York-bred is a full-brother to last year’s champion 2-year-old male, FIERCENESS. He opened a commanding lead in his career debut and seemed to be coasting to Victory before needing to dig in near the finish line to hold off a late challenge.
2. MR. SQUEAKY WHEELS [ML 15-1] Jockey: Jose Ortiz. Trainer: Kevin Rice. He’s a dominant debut Winner in a 4 ½-furlong race on the all-weather Tapeta Footings surface at Presque Isle Downs and takes a big step up in class here. .
3. BABY DUKES [ML 12-1] Jockey: Jose Lezcano. Trainer: Butch Reid. Another who enters off an impressive debut Win, taking a 4 ½-furlong race at Parx by four lengths on June 24th. Trainer typically spots his runners well so he’s worth a look at a decent price.
4. SOONTOBEKING [ML 20-1] Jockey: Eric Cancel. Trainer: George Weaver. After a 3rd-place finish in his first start against New York-breds, he rallied to Win an off-the-turf race at the Belmont at the Big A meet.
5. THREE ECHOS [ML 4-1] Jockey: Flavien Prat. Trainer: Steve Asmussen. Followed a debut Win with a 3rd-place finish in the Tremont Stakes, held during Belmont Stakes Week on this main track.
6. STUDLYDORIGHT [ML 7-2] Jockey: Xavier Perez. Trainer: John Robb. Improved to 2-for-2 with a 1 ¾-length score in the Tremont Stakes on this main track June 6th. He’s the lone Stakes Winner in the field plus a Victory on the track is a solid combination. A closer who would benefit from a fast pace.
7. WAR TAX [ML 15-1] Jockey: Javier Castellano. Trainer: Carlos Martin. Impressed in a front-running, two-length debut Win in May at the Belmont at the Big A meet but took a step back when beaten by 21 ¼ lengths in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs. A rough start contributed to that disappointing Stakes effort.
8. MO PLEX [ML 6-1] Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr. Trainer: Jeremiah Englehart. Dominated by 10 lengths as the favorite on June 20th in his coming out party at the Belmont at the Big A meet. Faces a better group here but one of several with loads of potential.
The six furlong Sanford Stakes is slated as race eleven on a card of twelve with a scheduled Post Time of 6:20.
Best of luck how ever you play it.
