Taylor Ejdys / Coglianese Photo

Marconi pointing for G2 Suburban; Pletcher mapping out Saratoga starters

by NYRA Press Office

• Marconi pointing for G2 Suburban; Pletcher mapping out Saratoga starters

• Davis parlays Aqueduct winter success to strong Belmont spring/summer meet start

• Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston freshening up in Ocala

• Maryanorginger possible for G2 Adirondack

• Foley could target more Grade 1 glory with Hog Creek Hustle

• Bourbon War will switch surfaces for next start

• New York-bred Theitalianamerican preparing for Saratoga summer campaign

• Empire Racing Club selects name for its first horse

• Belmont cooler giveaway on Father's Day

• Upcoming stakes probables

Marconi closed out last Saturday's Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with a victory in the Grade 2 Woodford Reserve Brooklyn Invitational, earning his first graded stakes win for owners Bridlewood Farm, Mr. and Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith

Conditioner Todd Pletcher reported the 4-year-old Tapit colt has exited the race in good order.

"He actually came back really well," said Pletcher. "He was quite full of himself even the morning after for having run in the last race of the day. At six the next morning he was rearing to go."

Purchased for $2 million as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale, Marconi broke his maiden in his second start in 2017 at Aqueduct as a juvenile and didn't reach the winner's circle again until March of this year in his seventh career start, with a victory in the Skip Away at Gulfstream Park.

Since then, he was won back-to-back races at Belmont with victories in the Flat Out on May 9 and in the Brooklyn.

"He's really matured and come into his own," said Pletcher. "Right now we're targeting the [Grade 2, $700,000] Suburban [July 6] and we'll go towards targeting a summer campaign for him from there."

Another 4-year-old from the Pletcher barn who has hit his best form of late is Vino Rosso for owners Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable. The Curlin colt won his first two starts as a juvenile before capturing the 2018 Grade 2 Wood Memorial and wrapped up his 3-year-old campaign with a fifth-place running in the Grade 1 Travers at Saratoga Race Course.

He has visited the winner's circle twice in threeo starts this year, winning the Stymie on March 9 at Aqueduct and most recently earning his first career Grade 1, shipping out west to win the Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 27.

Pletcher said he will point Vino Rosso to the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 3 at the Spa.

"He's going to have his first breeze back Saturday," said Pletcher. "Heading into California we were keeping an eye on a number of different options before entering the Gold Cup and it just seemed like he was doing right and ready to run. The travel arrangements worked out easily and it just seemed like the right race to try. Right now, we're pointing him for the Whitney."

Three Diamonds Farm's flashy juvenile maiden winner Kiss the Girl, purchased for $210,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic Eastern Fall Yearling Sale, graduated by 4 ½ lengths in her debut on Wednesday.

Three Diamonds Farm currently leads all owners at the Belmont spring meet with 31 starts. Pletcher said the burgeoning stable star will next point to the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville at Saratoga.

"It's nice for Three Diamond's Farm as they like to run their horses and support the industry as a whole. She had trained well and we were hoping for a good effort. I'm glad she delivered," said Pletcher. "Kirk Wycoff [owner Three Diamonds Farm] selected her by himself in Timonium. I think she was the sale topper. She's a pretty filly by Into Mischief and we sent her down to my Dad's [Jake Pletcher] to break her and she came in and caught on to everything quickly and was ready to go. We'll look to go to the Schuylerville from here." 

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint champion Bulletin is also expected to breeze Saturday for his first work back since running fourth in the William Walker at Churchill Downs on April 27. He will target a start in the Grade 3, $100,000 Quick Call on Thursday, July 11, Opening Day at Saratoga.

Lastly, Pletcher reported Grade 1 Belmont Stakes entrants Spinoff, who finished sixth, beaten three-lengths for owners Wertheimer and Frere and Intrepid Heart for Lawana and Robert Low, who ran eighth, would each be pointed to either the $100,000 Curlin [July 26] or Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy [July 27], both at nine furlongs at Saratoga.

"They both have come back well," added Pletcher. "I thought they both ran hard. Right now, we're targeting Saratoga for each of them. They're both eligible for the Curlin and also the Jim Dandy, so we'll target both see where we enter."

Davis parlays Aqueduct winter success to strong Belmont spring/summer meet start

 Jockey Dylan Davis continues to build off a stellar start to his 2019 campaign, entering Friday tied for second with 25 wins during the Belmont Park spring/summer meet.

Davis, who has amassed a 25-14-25record in 157 mounts, is tied with Kendrick Carmouche, who are both eight wins behind leading rider Jose Lezcano. The success for the native of Manhasset, New York native comes off a winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack in which his 55 wins was third behind Junior Alvarado and Manny Franco.

From December 7 through April 4 at the Big A, Davis went 55-67-48 in 348 mounts, which were the second-most starts of any jockey, trailing only Franco's 369. He also made news when he rode Maven to a win on April 19, marking the first North American-winner sired by Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah.

Since the weather warmed and the action shifted to Long Island on April 26, Davis has enjoyed frequent trips to the winner's circle, including a pair of stakes wins with Pat On the Back in the Affirmed Success on Opening Day April 26, followed by a victory by a nose over Giant Expectations in the one-mile Commentator on May 27.

"I never expected to be up here in second, but we're working hard, so I appreciate all the owners and trainers for riding me and my agent, Mike Migliore, for helping me," Davis said. "I'm excited to see what's to come. This year, the horses are running for me and putting me in a good position. We're looking to see where we can finish at the end of the meet. Some of the guys have settled in now every day, so we'll see what happens in the next month. But I'm doing better than last year, and I'm hoping my momentum carries me through Saratoga."

The 24-year-old, who notched his 600th career victory as part of a four-win day on May 31, is coming off a 2018 in which he set personal bests in wins (142), starts (1,119) and earnings, totaling almost $9 million ($8,903,805). He also registered his first three graded stakes wins during the year, with Nootka Sound winning the Grade 3 Soaring Softly, Great Stuff capturing the Grade 3 Toboggan and Tale of Silence in the Grade 3 Westchester. 

"I settled down in New York a few years back. I had been here and left, but I came back strong and put my hard work in; I think working in the mornings has been the key to where I am today," Davis said. "Starting last year, I got more opportunities and more chances to ride the bigger races and I was able to get the job done. Last year was the biggest year for my career and it looks like it's going on a good path this year, so hopefully we go on strong and keep pushing."

Early in 2018, Davis made history when he won six races on a single day - including five straight victories to start the card - at Aqueduct on February 18, 2018, tying a NYRA record. His effort, which made him the first NYRA rider to register six wins on a single card since Hall of Famer Javier Castellano in 2013, came just 14 days after he had won five races on a single day at Aqueduct.

Davis is part of a family who has made race-riding an integral part of their lives, with his father, Robbie, having recorded more than 3,300 wins in a career that started in 1981, and Dylan's sisters Jacqueline and Katie also frequent riders at tracks such as Penn National, Delaware Park, Suffolk Downs and Laurel Park, among others.

"For the winter time, the weather doesn't really bother me," Davis said. "I was born and raised in New York and did a bit of traveling with my father. But being in New York during the winter time set a good base for me. These guys know I'm here and they know my riding abilities. Just knowing that I can get the job done, they put a lot of trust in me. Most of the trainers who ride me in the winter will give me more shots during the spring and summer because they know I'll be staying. This year at Aqueduct, I felt like I was winning more quality races. It's just winning in general that keeps you moving."

 Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston freshening up in Ocala

 Tracy Farmer's homebred Sir Winston, hero of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, is enjoying some down time in Florida at trainer Mark Casse's facility in Ocala.

"Mark brought him back to Ocala for a little bit until he figures out what to do with him next," said assistant trainer Jamie Begg.

A 10-1 longshot in the Belmont, Sir Winston overcame the odds with a well-timed rally under Joel Rosario. The veteran rider had previously guided Sir Winston to a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Peter Pan at nine furlongs on Big Sandy leading into the Belmont.

The Awesome Again chestnut went into the third leg of the Triple Crown without a graded stakes win, having finished third in the Grade 3 Grey at Woodbine, fourth in the Grade 3 Withers at the Big A, fifth in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby and seventh in the Grade 2 Blue Grass at Keeneland.

Begg, however, said he had was confident leading Sir Winston to the paddock on Belmont Stakes Day.

"I thought I could win with him. We always had confidence in him," said Begg. "I think it was just a perfect storm. The horse, on paper, wanted a mile and a half. He was training better than he had ever trained and Joel was super confident - he got off a horse that was second in the Preakness [Everfast] to ride him. All those things gave you the idea he could win."

Looking ahead, the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy, a 1 1/8-mile test slated for July 27 at Saratoga, is an option for Sir Winston as the nation's top sophomores prepare for The Mid-Summer Derby - the $1.2 million Runhappy Travers - a 10-furlong test to be held on August 24 at the Spa.

Begg said Sir Winston should be able to handle the cut back in distance moving forward towards the Runhappy Travers.

"The thing is, he never really got to go a mile and a quarter. All the prep races were a mile and a sixteenth, a mile and an eighth," said Begg. "I think Joel figuring out his style a little more helped him. Julien [Leparoux] was really high on him after riding him in the Tampa Bay Derby, but in the Blue Grass the track wasn't playing to anything coming from out of it. He'll get his chance to run a mile and a quarter at some point and that will answer a lot of questions."

Begg welcomed Wings of Dawn, a 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d'Oro out of multiple graded stakes winner Juanita, to the barn on Thursday night. Owned by John C. Oxley, Wings of Dawn graduated at third asking for Casse on May 3 on the Woodbine Tapeta and followed up with a sweeping 4 1/2-length score in an optional claiming event on May 19 at the Etobicoke oval.

A $600,000 purchase at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Wings of Dawn is expected to make her stakes debut on June 22 in a one-mile tilt for sophomore fillies over Belmont's Widener turf course.

"She'll run in the Wild Applause. We're going for the repeat. We won it last year with Got Stormy," said Begg.

Maryanorginger possible for G2 Adirondack

After making her career debut a winning one in the Astoria last Friday, trainer Jeremiah Englehart said Maryanorginger is likely for more stakes action during the Saratoga meet.

Owned by Gold Square, the 2-year-old daughter of Strong Mandate could step up to graded stakes company in the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack on August 4 at Saratoga for her next start.

"We'll try and make a start at Saratoga, possibly the Adirondack, but I'm not 100 percent sure yet," Englehart said. "She was training pretty forwardly all along and I felt like the timing for the Astoria was going to be good for her."

Bred in Kentucky by C. Kidder, N. Cole, & Linda Griggs, Maryanorginger is out of the Vindication broodmare Timetobegone, who is out of two-time California Broodmare of the Year Guilded Times. He was purchased for $190,000 from the Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Sale last July.

Also a possibility for stakes action at The Spa this summer for Englehart is Wendell Fong, who sat close to a swift pace in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens presented by Mohegan Sun and finished fifth beaten 2 ¾ lengths.

Englehart said that the son of Flat Out could race in the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam on July 28 at Saratoga.

"We'll possibly point to the Amsterdam," Englehart said. "I was really happy with his race. He was kind of against the track that day and he didn't get beat by much."

Wendell Fong became a stakes winner in his start prior to the Woody Stephens when he won the Gold Fever at Belmont Park by 2 ½ lengths over graded stakes winner Call Paul.

Foley could target more Grade 1 glory with Hog Creek Hustle

Kentucky-based trainer Vickie Foley scored her first Grade 1 victory in three decades of conditioning thoroughbreds when Hog Creek Hustle scored an upset win in Saturday's Woody Stephens presented by Mohegan Sun.

Owned by Something Special Racing, Hog Creek Hustle is a possibility for the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial presented by Runhappy on August 24 at Saratoga.

The Woody Stephens victory did not come without drama, however, with an inquiry launched against Hog Creek Hustle after the horse veered to the inside towards Mind Control, who finished eighth as the second choice.

"It was very, very exciting," Foley said. "It was kind of a roller coaster ride when they posted the inquiry sign, but it all turned out for the best. Anywhere from 6 ½ [furlongs] to seven eighths to a one-turn mile is his niche, but I knew the seven-eighths would be good for him. We're shooting for the Allen Jerkens."

Foley didn't rule out another start ahead of the spot at the Spa.

"We'll take each day as it comes," Foley said. "There aren't a lot of races between now and then. There is the Amsterdam which is a Grade 2, but I don't know yet. He came back great out of the race and we're looking forward to the Allen Jerkens."

Bred in Kentucky by Hargus Sexton, Sandra Sexton and Silver Fern Farm, Hog Creek Hustle is out of the unraced Candy Ride broodmare Candy Fortune who also produced stakes winner Majestic Dunhill. He was purchased from the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2017 for $150,000.

Bourbon War will switch surfaces for next start

Bourbon Lane Stable and Lake Star Stables' Bourbon War will try turf next time out according to trainer Mark Hennig, who said the son of Tapit's next start could take place at Saratoga.

Bourbon War, tenth and last in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes last Saturday, has never raced over grass but is the first foal out of My Conquestadory, who was a Grade 2 winner over the lawn at Woodbine in her career debut.

"We're probably going to the grass with him. His dam was a stakes winner on grass and a miler, too," Hennig said. "The Belmont Derby will come up too soon for him. He might run at Saratoga."

A first out graduate over the main track at Aqueduct, Bourbon War earned black type with a runner-up finish in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park over the winter.

Also racing for Hennig during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival was Strike Power, who put up a valiant effort in the Grade 2 True North with a hard fought second-place finish behind multiple graded stakes winner Catalina Cruiser. The True North was a second start off a layoff for Strike Power, who emerged off of an eight-month layoff last out when taking an allowance race at Gulfstream Park by five lengths.

Hennig said the Grade 1, $350,000 A.G. Vanderbilt on July 27 at Saratoga will likely be the son of Speightstown's next start.

"That's probably the next target," Hennig said of the Vanderbilt. "I nominated him to the [Grade 2, $300,000 John] Nerud [on July 6] but we'll probably give him a little time in between races given how hard he ran. He's doing well. He just galloped for a few days and went back to the track with some of them."

A Courtlandt Farms homebred, Strike Power earned a graded stakes win at age three taking the Grade 3 Swale at Gulfstream Park in his second career start. Like stable mate Bourbon War, he also ran second in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth.

New York-bred Theitalianamerican preparing for Saratoga summer campaign

Monty Foss and John Moirano's promising juvenile Theitalianamerican put forward a pair of visually impressive runner-up efforts at Belmont to launch his career, including a strong rally against open company to complete the exacta in the $150,000 Tremont during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

The Girolamo ridgling, purchased for $30,000 at 2019 March OBS, has shipped upstate with trainer Gary Contessa's Saratoga string to prepare for a summer campaign at the Spa.

"He's now in Saratoga to prepare for the meet and get used to the track. We'll give him time and let him recover from a good race. He's very promising," said Juan Gonzales, assistant to Contessa.

Racing out of the inside post in the Tremont, Theitalianamerican was last of seven at the half-mile call of the 5 1/2-furlong main-track sprint before launching a furious rally to finish second behind Fore Left.

"It was a good effort against open company. He kept coming. He was moving very fast in the last eighth," said Gonzales. "Maybe he needs a little more distance - seven furlongs to a mile. He kept his condition and he can still run in a maiden for New York-breds."

Theitalianamerican was a good second on debut, missing by a head in a New York-bred maiden boasting a $62,000 purse.

The modestly-priced juvenile could be a good fit for the recently launched Maiden Allowance Auction Series - a series of open juvenile races, to be restricted to horses that went through the ring for $45,000 or less at their most recent auction, to be offered in the first condition book of the Saratoga meet for purses of $75,000.

Empire Racing Club selects name for its first horse

The Empire Racing Club, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to introduce fans to racehorse ownership, took another step forward towards putting a contender out on the track by naming it's very first horse.

The Spendthrift Farm-bred bay 2-year-old filly by Can The Man out of Five Star Daydream was named Starlit Daydream, having her moniker chosen from a list of more than 50 names submitted by Empire Racing Club members. The winning name was submitted by Meghan Krebs of Connecticut.

Established by the New York Thoroughbred Horseman's Association, the Empire Racing Club is limited to 200 members who each pay an all-in cost of $500 for the term, providing members with racing and horse ownership experience without additional expenses often associated with the business. 

Seven-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Todd Pletcher, who will train all of Empire Racing Club's horses, had Starlit Daydream register her first breeze when she went three furlongs in 36.97 seconds on May 30 on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course, working in company with an unnamed Florida-bred juvenile American Pharoah colt who was purchased for $1.65 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-year-old sale.

Starlit Daydream notched her second work, going three furlongs in 38.35 over the same track on June 7.

"She's doing well so far," Pletcher said to NYTHA. "Her first breeze was very easy for her and she's catching quickly at the starting gate. She appears to have speed."

Empire Racing Club has retired NYRA race caller Tom Durkin serving as the managing partner.

Proceeds from the Empire Racing Club will be used to pay for the horse's expenses, with any excess funds designated to the non-profit aftercare organization Take The Lead Thoroughbred Retirement Program.

NYRA Bets is also partnering with the Empire Racing Club, offering a $200 wagering credit to members who sign up as new NYRA Bets account holders. Only individuals who have not previously held a NYRA Bets account will be eligible for the bonus.Club members will receive regular updates about the stable's horses via conference call, email, social media and dedicated club events and race days.

For more information or to join, visit www.nytha.com/welcometotheclub.

Belmont cooler giveaway on Father's Day

Sunday's 9-race card at Belmont Park is for the dads. Treat dad to a day at the races inclusive of world-class racing, a car show and enter-to-win contests.

Want to test your handicapping skills, but don't want the big risk? Try the Low Roller Challenge to play against others and win cash prizes.

Family activities include a superhero costume contest. Kids are invited to dress up in their most heroic costumes and bring dad along for a day of rock climbing, sports arcade and a special appearance by Captain America.

Be sure to pick up your Belmont Cooler giveaway, available with purchase of same day admission, while supplies last.

First post time on Sunday is 1:30 p.m. with the featured Grade 3, $300,000 Poker, a one-mile turf test for 4-year-olds and upward, slated for 5:18 p.m.

For more information on upcoming events at Belmont Park, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/tickets/events

Upcoming stakes probables

SATURDAY, JUNE 22:

$100,000 Wild Applause 

Probable: Blowout (Chad Brown); Dogtag (Chad Brown); Feel Glorious (Christophe Clement); Nova Sol (Chad Brown); Seek and Destroy (Chad Brown); Spectralight (IRE) (Brian House); Wings of Dawn (Mark Casse)

Possible: On the Town (Mark Hennig)

SUNDAY, June 23:

$150,000 New York Stallion Series Stakes Cupecoy's Joy 

Probable: Kid is Frosty (Brad Cox); Niko's Dream (Barclay Tagg); Parton (Kevin Rice); Sweet Meadow Mist (Charlton Baker)

$150,000 New York Stallion Series Stakes Spectacular Bid

Probable: Blindwillie McTell (L. Rice); Funny Guy (John Terranova); Kosciuszko (Pat Quick); Magical Tale (Jimmy Ryerson); Mend Up (Rodrigo Ubillo); Veterans Beach (David Donk)

Possible: Not That Brady (Rudy Rodriguez)