Opening Action over the Hurdles
The day begins with the Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes, a $75,000 event for four-year-olds and upward who have not scored over hurdles prior to March 1, 2024, or have never won more than three races other than as three-year-olds. Covering 2 3/8 miles, the line-up features seasoned jumpers like Travesuras (J: Gerard Galligan, T: Cyril Murphy), Walk The Warrior (IRE) (J: Jamie Bargary, T: Leslie F. Young), L’Avvocato (FR) (J: Evan Dwan, T: Katherine S. Neilson), and Evie’s Prince (J: Eric Poretz, T: Neil R. Morris), joined by fresh challengers including Little Trilby (GB) (J: Conor Tierney, T: Richard J. Hendriks) and Clifton Down (IRE) (J: Dan Nevin, T: Mark Beecher).
Dirt Miles and Claiming Duels
The starter optional claiming, set for 1:48 pm over a dirt mile with a $47,000 purse, welcomes runners like Philharmonic (J: Christopher Elliott, T: Nicholas P. Zito) and Pineapple Man (J: Kendrick Carmouche, T: Michelle Nevin). This contest blends seasoned veterans with rising talent in a tactical test where early positioning could be key.
Homebred Turf Talent
At 2:20 pm, the Maiden Special Weight for New York-bred two-year-old fillies brings a $90,000 prize over 1 1/16 miles on turf. Stylish Gem (J: Eric Cancel, T: George Weaver) and She’s Country (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: George Weaver) spearhead a field that also includes Ryan Elizabeth (J: Lanfranco Dettori, T: Amelia J. Green) and My Devine One (J: Junior Alvarado, T: William I. Mott), offering an early look at potential future stakes fillies.
Allowance Quality on the Main Track
The $115,000 allowance optional claiming at 2:52 pm, over a dirt mile, assembles a potent field. Drake’s Passage (J: Manuel Franco, T: Miguel Clement) and Sheriff Bianco (J: Kendrick Carmouche, T: Linda Rice) headline the group, joined by Gun Party (J: Jose L. Ortiz, T: Steven M. Asmussen) and Stowaway (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: D. Whitworth Beckman) in what should be a closely fought affair.
Middle Card Momentum
By 3:26 pm, the claiming ranks take center stage in a seven-furlong dirt event worth $63,000. Call Me Fast (J: Manuel Franco, T: Ilkay Kantarmaci) and Stolen Base (J: Jose L. Ortiz, T: Bruce N. Levine) look to assert dominance against challengers like Big Gain (J: Luis Saez, T: Rudy R. Rodriguez) and Sagamore Mischief (J: Kendrick Carmouche, T: Gustavo Rodriguez).
Next, a New York-bred maiden claiming sprint at 4:00 pm offers a $50,000 purse over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. Out of the Fog (J: Javier Castellano, T: Jena M. Antonucci) and Eighty Gold (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: David G. Donk) lead the betting, but Pazz the Soy Sauce (J: Ricardo Santana, Jr., T: Thomas Morley) could prove a live outsider.
Late Afternoon Stakes and Closing Sprints
The 4:34 pm claiming race for fillies and mares over 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt offers a $36,000 pot, with Lookin to Rock (J: Cornelia Hartsmar, T: Jena M. Antonucci) and Our Lady Peace (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.) poised to contend in a field full of developing runners.
At 5:07 pm, the New York Stallion Series Stakes unfolds over a mile on turf, boasting a $150,000 purse. Disco Star (J: Dylan Davis, T: Mark E. Casse), Queen Atlas (J: Kendrick Carmouche, T: William E. Morey), and Trail of Gold (J: Irad Ortiz, Jr., T: David G. Donk) headline this stakes field, where tactical pace judgment will be critical.
The curtain falls at 5:44 pm with a $100,000 Maiden Special Weight over 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. Notable entries include R P Byrne (IRE) (J: Victor Espinoza, T: Wesley A. Ward), Grand Gala (J: Ricardo Santana, Jr., T: Todd A. Pletcher), and Delightful Darling (J: Jose L. Ortiz, T: Mark E. Casse), closing the card with a burst of sprinting speed.
With each race on the August 13 card offering its own storyline, Saratoga Racecourse promises an afternoon where form, finesse, and a touch of fortune will define the winners. Full fields, competitive conditions, and the storied backdrop of Saratoga make this a meet not to miss.
For more on Saratoga racing, visit the official Saratoga Racecourse site and explore RaceBuzz coverage of New York’s summer meets.
