Chelsea Durand Photo

Asmussen basking in glow of Saturday’s graded stakes sweep at Saratoga

by NYRA Press Office

• Asmussen basking in glow of Saturday’s graded stakes sweep at Saratoga
• Pletcher to be represented by Life Is Good, Americanrevolution and Happy Saver in G1 Whitney
• G1 Runhappy Travers still possible for Zandon, Early Voting
• New York-bred GSW City Man under consideration for West Point or G1 Fourstardave
• Nations Pride, With The Moonlight breeze in company for Caesars Turf Triple series
• First Captain posts a bullet breeze for G1 JCGC; Maiden winner Capture the Flag possible for G1 Hopeful
• Our Dream Rye’d rises to the occasion at Saratoga; Hard Rye Guy breezes over Oklahoma turf; Mira Mission could target G1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer
• Casamigos for Jocks and Horses fundraiser for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund to be held on August 5

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen has been a part of many historic moments at Saratoga Race Course, including the memorable victory by Rachel Alexandra in the 2009 Grade 1 Woodward to be become the first filly to win that event; and a record-setting win with Stellar Tap in August 2021 to break the all-time win record for North American trainers.

Asmussen added to his historical accomplishments when Kirk and Judy Robison’s reigning Champion Male Sprinter Jackie’s Warrior became the first horse in history to post a Grade 1 victory in three consecutive years at the Spa as he dazzled with an easy two-length score in the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap under Joel Rosario on Saturday.

“For him to be the first horse ever to have won a Grade 1 three years in a row at Saratoga, it’s just putting him in a room of one,” said Asmussen outside his barn on Sunday morning. “We’re just extremely proud of him and we’re very fortunate to be a part of him. It’s quite the legacy.”

Jackie’s Warrior, whose other Grade 1 victories at Saratoga were the 2020 Hopeful and 2021 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, also boasts a perfect 5-for-5 record at the hallowed racetrack, owning Grade 2 wins in the 2020 Saratoga Special and the 2021 Amsterdam. A win in the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego on August 27 would put him on even terms with Fourstardave, known as the “Sultan of Saratoga,” for the most stakes victories by a single horse at Saratoga according to Equibase records, which date to 1976.

Asmussen said along with Jackie’s Warrior’s impressive speed, his mental capabilities have allowed him to reach the heights he has.

“He’s an extremely intelligent horse that understands what he’s doing, enjoys it a great deal, and thrives doing it,” Asmussen said. “His demeanor pre-race, during the race, and after the race is so consistent and cooling out after the race, he was obviously very proud of himself, and I don’t think they got to the bottom of him.”

The Vanderbilt was the first half of a graded stakes sweep on the day for Asmussen, who sent out Epicenter to a redemptive win in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy just one race later with Rosario tasked with the ride once again. The son of Not This Time trailed in last-of-4 as Early Voting set moderate fractions up front, but was full of run and strongly ran down his rivals to post a 1 1/2-length score over Zandon.

“They both came out very well and both horses are very pleased with themselves – bright and alert today,” said Asmussen. “It’s a beautiful morning.”

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Epicenter was runner-up in both the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Preakness in May. In the Kentucky Derby, Epicenter closed into a blistering pace set by Summer Is Tomorrow and held off a challenge from Zandon at the top of the lane, but was nailed a few strides before the wire by the rail-skimming Rich Strike.

The Preakness was another tough loss for the dark bay colt, who was squeezed at the start and faced traffic issues throughout before coming up 1 1/4 lengths shy of Early Voting. The Jim Dandy saw him get a much cleaner trip from off the pace that resulted in his strong victory, equaling a career-high 102 Beyer Speed Figure.

“The way in which he did it was extremely satisfying. I spoke with Ron [Winchell] last night and this morning, and you saw what we thought was a level of confidence and understanding of what all this racing is about,” Asmussen said of Epicenter’s maturity. “It looks great going forward.” 

Asmussen said Saturday was an emotional experience as he reflected on his trainees’ strong performances in front of a buzzing crowd of 37,476 fans.

“It was quite the hour. It was as good as a day could get. The circumstances of yesterday with Jackie’s Warrior being such a prohibitive favorite and with that record on the line was very nerve-racking,” said Asmussen, with a laugh. “You just wanted it for him so much. And then everyone has witnessed Epicenter’s last two races, and for him to walk back in the winner’s circle victorious was a wonderful feeling.” 

Asmussen said the plan laid out for Epicenter to continue on to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 27 is still on track.

“We had planned on running him in the Jim Dandy as a prep for the Travers,” Asmussen said. “His summer goal has always been the Travers and continues to be.”

As for Jackie’s Warrior, the next five months will be the last that he spends in Asmussen’s barn before retiring to stud at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky. Asmussen said he is hopeful the son of Maclean’s Music can score an elusive victory in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November at Keeneland after finishing an uncharacteristic sixth in last year’s running at Del Mar. 

“We’re planning on running him back here in the Forego and he’ll have two more races – the Forego and the Breeders’ Cup Sprint,” Asmussen said. “We want to go into it fresh this year and we’re fortunate that Kirk and Judy Robison allowed us to run him another year. We’re trying to make it worth as much as we possibly can.” 

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Pletcher to be represented by Life Is Good, Americanrevolution and Happy Saver in G1 Whitney

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will have three chances to win his fourth Grade 1 Whitney when he saddles Life Is Good, Americanrevolution and Happy Saver in Saturday’s $1 million nine-furlong test for older horses. The 95th renewal of the Whitney will offer a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in November at Keeneland.

CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm’s Life Is Good, a 4-year-old Into Mischief Bay, boasts a record of 9-7-1-0 for purse earnings in excess of $3.5 million. He notched Grade 1 wins in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November at Del Mar and the Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January at Gulfstream Park. 

Life Is Good, who enters from a win in the Grade 2 John A. Nerud on July 2 at Belmont, breezed a half-mile in 48.25 Saturday over the main track under exercise rider Amelia Green. 

"He was his normal impressive self," Pletcher said.

CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm’s Americanrevolution, a New York-bred son of Constitution, captured the Grade 1 Cigar Mile Handicap in December at Aqueduct Racetrack. He has posted four triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in his last five starts, including a 108 for his runner-up effort to Whitney rival Olympiad last out in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster on July 2 at Churchill Downs.

He worked in company with Happy Saver on Saturday over the Saratoga main track, covering a half-mile in 49.75.

“I thought it went well and we were very happy with the breeze," Pletcher said.

Wertheimer and Frere’s Kentucky homebred Happy Saver boasts a ledger of 10-5-4-1 for purse earnings of $988,300. He captured the 2020 Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont and finished second last year in his title defense to Max Player at Saratoga.

Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ride Life Is Good, while Luis Saez retains the mount on Americanrevolution. A rider for Happy Saver, most recently piloted by Ortiz, Jr., is yet to be determined.

Whisper Hill Farm’s Charge It breezed a half-mile in 49.06 Saturday over the Saratoga main track in his first breeze back following a 23-length win in the one-mile Grade 3 Dwyer on July 2 at Belmont.

Pletcher said he was pleased with the effort as he readies the Tapit grey for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 27 at the Spa.

“We’re very pleased. We're right on target,” Pletcher said. “We set out to have four breezes like we did before the Dwyer and the first one went really well. We’ll do a little more in the next couple weeks. So far, so good.”

Repole Stable’s Fearless posted a three-quarter length score in the 1 3/4-mile Birdstone on Thursday at Saratoga. The 6-year-old Ghostzapper gelding rallied strongly down the rail to secure the narrow win over a good main track that was soaked by intermittent showers.

“I don’t think he liked it out there at all. We had that downpour and the track was a little funny and pretty much won it on pure courage,” Pletcher said.

Pletcher said the millionaire bay exited the race in good order and would consider turning him back for the Grade 3 Greenwood Cup at 12 furlongs on September 24 at Parx.

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G1 Runhappy Travers still possible for Zandon, Early Voting

Trainer Chad Brown said both Zandon and Early Voting emerged from their respective second and fourth-place finishes in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy in good order and remain possible for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on August 27 at Saratoga Race Course. 

Saturday's four-horse Jim Dandy saw Early Voting, exiting a Grade 1 Preakness victory, set a moderate tempo up front with stablemate Zandon 1 1/2 lengths back in second. Early Voting was under a drive from Jose Ortiz in upper stretch with Zandon rallying to his outside. But neither runner was able to stave off the turn of foot from Epicenter, who won by 1 1/2 lengths under Joel Rosario. 

“They both came out of the race fine,” Brown said. “Everything looks good and I’m going to ease them back into training the next couple of days and take it from there.”

Jeff Drown’s Zandon entered the Jim Dandy off a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, finishing 1 1/2 lengths in arrears of Rich Strike and Epicenter, who ran second as the favorite.

Never off the board in six lifetime starts, Zandon captured the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland four weeks before the Derby. Brown said the son of third crop sire Upstart would benefit from a late-closing running style in a larger field of horses. 

“I prefer him a little bit farther back, but I don’t want to make any excuses,” Brown said. “He was ahead of Epicenter and had every chance to kick on and go, but Epicenter was able to overtake him and win the race impressively. With Zandon, hopefully he gets something off his 12 week layoff. Hopefully, he got something out of that to improve. He’s going to need to, going on to the next one.”

Brown offered no excuses for Early Voting, who finished last-of-4 beaten 3 3/4 lengths. 

“He didn’t show up yesterday and Epicenter ran an outstanding race,” Brown said. “I just have to regroup with him and go from there. I don’t want to complain about the track. The day before I had a wonderful winner [Artorius] in the Curlin. Some horses are maybe going to be OK on it and others not.”

Brown could have as many as three horses in the Runhappy Travers with Zandon and Early Voting, and Juddmonte’s aforementioned Artorius also under consideration. 

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New York-bred GSW City Man under consideration for West Point or G1 Fourstardave

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Peter Searles and Patty Searles’ City Man, a 5-year-old New York-bred son of Mucho Macho Man, breezed a half-mile in 49.26 seconds Sunday over the Oklahoma turf training track.

It was the first work back for the Christophe Clement-trained City Man following his 2 3/4-length score in the one-mile Grade 3 Forbidden Apple on July 15 at Saratoga that garnered a career-best 103 Beyer Speed Figure.

Clement said he is considering City Man for either the 1 1/16-mile $200,000 West Point Handicap presented by Trustco Bank against fellow state-breds on August 26; or the one-mile Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap on August 13, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile in November at Keeneland.

“He worked well. It was a nice maintenance work,” Clement said. “Now, we have to decide, do we go to the Fourstardave or for the West Point. He's doing well and he loves Saratoga, so maybe it's not a bad idea to be ambitious.”

A stakes-winner in each year of racing, City Man boasts a record of 4-2-1-0 at Saratoga. Clement said he has been impressed by City Man’s efforts this season, beginning with a 2 1/4-length score in the one-mile Danger’s Hour in April at Aqueduct.

The Moonstar Farm-bred horse followed with a pair of troubled trips at Belmont when fourth over yielding going in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy on May 7 and seventh when boxed in and steadied repeatedly in the Kingston against state-breds on May 30.

“He’s always been a stakes horse,” Clement said. “I thought he was very impressive when he won the stakes at Aqueduct in April and he had two starts after that where he was very unlucky, but he won very well the other day in Saratoga.”

Blue Devil Racing Stable’s Canisy, a sophomore daughter of Point of Entry, is under consideration for either the 1 3/16-mile Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 7 or the Grade 2, $200,000 Lake Placid at 1 1/16-miles on August 20.

Canisy made her first two starts traveling 1 1/16-miles on the Belmont turf, besting next-out winner Contemporary Art in her May debut and following with a close second in June against winners. She made her Saratoga debut a winning one with a gate-to-wire score in a nine-furlong optional-claimer on July 14 that garnered a career-best 84 Beyer.

“She’s a nice horse. She keeps improving. The Lake Placid might be a better distance for her right now and better company,” Clement said.

Clement said Jump Sucker Stable’s Slipstream, last seen finishing off-the-board in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup on June 17 at Royal Ascot, will skip Friday’s Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.

“He’s training at Belmont but he needs more time,” Clement said.

The dark bay son of More Than Ready captured the Grade 3 Futurity in October at Belmont en route to a sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, defeated less than three lengths by Modern Games in November at Del Mar.

He won the 5 1/2-furlong Palisades in April at Keeneland by three-quarters of a length over Twilight Gleaming, who exited that effort to win both the Mamzelle at Churchill and the Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar.

Bred in Kentucky by Burleson Farm and McKenzie Bloodstock, Slipstream was purchased for $170,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

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Nations Pride, With The Moonlight breeze in company for Caesars Turf Triple series

Godolphin homebreds Nations Pride [1:15.21] and With The Moonlight [1:15] breezed six furlongs in company over the Oklahoma training turf Sunday in preparation for the Grade 1, $1 million Caesars Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 6 and the Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks on August 7, respectively, at Saratoga Race Course.

The Charlie Appleby-trained duo posted runner-up efforts in their North American debuts in the first legs of the Caesars Turf Triple series on July 9 at Belmont Park.

NYRA clockers timed the pair through splits of 26 and 39 and out in 1:28.

Chris Connett, traveling assistant for Appleby, said the breeze went exactly as planned with exercise rider Patrice Pot aboard With The Moonlight and Noel Garbutt guiding Nations Pride.

"Nations Pride led the gallop," Connett said. "We had them join up with about two furlongs to go and then just had them squeeze them along and made sure With The Moonlight did a little extra to make sure she got all that she needed out of it."

Frankie Dettori piloted both sophomores in their stateside debuts with Nations Pride breaking slowly from post 10 in the Grade 1, $1 million Casears Belmont Derby Invitational, closing from ninth to finish just three-quarters of a length back of the pacesetting winner Classic Causeway.

With The Moonlight had a prominent trip from post 4 in the Grade 1, $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, opening up a half-length lead at the stretch call only to be collared late by McKulick, who won by 1 3/4-lengths.

Both horses remained in New York following their Belmont effort and Connett said the talented pair have enjoyed their time in Saratoga.

"Patrice and Noel, who ride them every day, said they feel like they've really taken to Saratoga - who wouldn't," Connett said, with a laugh.

William Buick is expected to ship over to ride both Nations Pride and With The Moonlight.

Both the Saratoga Derby and Saratoga Oaks are contested at 1 3/16-miles. The Caesars Turf Triple series concludes at the Belmont at the Big A fall meet with the Grade 3, $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby Invitational at 12 furlongs and the 11-furlong Grade 3, $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks. 

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First Captain posts a bullet breeze for G1 JCGC; Maiden winner Capture the Flag possible for G1 Hopeful

West Point Thoroughbreds, Siena Farm, Woodford Thoroughbreds and Bobby Flay's First Captain breezed a bullet half-mile in 46.80 Saturday over the Saratoga main track in preparation for a start in the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on September 3 at Saratoga, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The 4-year-old Curlin colt finished a heartbreaking second last out in the 10-furlong Grade 2 Suburban on July 9 at Belmont, defeated a nose by Dynamic One.

“He worked really well. I took him over to the main track and he worked good and came out of it good. He was happy this morning,” McGaughey said.

McGaughey unveiled an impressive maiden winner Saturday at Saratoga when Allen Stable, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Jonathan Poulin’s Capture the Flag edged clear to a three-length score in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight over the Spa main track.

By Quality Road and out of 2017 Grade 1 Flower Bowl winner War Flag, Capture the Flag stalked in third position under Luis Saez before launching a wide rally to secure the victory in a final time of 1:06.17 and garnering a 61 Beyer.

“He had trained good and done well all along. We thought he would run well,” McGaughey said.

McGaughey, who conditioned War Flag to her prominent score in the 10-furlong Flower Bowl over the Belmont turf, said he wanted to start the young colt on the main track.

“We’ll see where he takes us from there. We can always go to the turf if we need to,” McGaughey said. “They look a lot alike. He's got a lot of sense, she had a lot of sense.”

McGaughey said Capture the Flag will likely target the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful on September 5 at the Spa.

Annette Allen's Stolen Holiday , a 5-year-old War Front mare, breezed a half-mile in 52.13 Sunday over the Oklahoma training turf.

McGaughey said a potential target is the Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa, a 1 1/16-mile turf test on August 27. The consistent bay, who sports a ledger of 10-4-2-1, made the grade last out with a frontrunning score in the Grade 3 Eatontown on June 18 at Monmouth Park. 

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Our Dream Rye’d rises to the occasion at Saratoga; Hard Rye Guy breezes over Oklahoma turf; Mira Mission could target G1 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer

Bourbon Lane Stable and Circle N Thoroughbreds’ Our Dream Rye’d took home the bread when coming from last-of-10 and 14-lengths off the pace at odds of 21-1. Piloted by Julien Leparoux, the son of More Than Ready graduated by 1 1/4-lengths in a maiden special weight event for juveniles travelling 1 1/16 miles on the Saratoga Race Course lawn.

Our Dream Rye’d arrived at the Spa already having a race under his belt. He finished sixth when sprinting over the Churchill Downs dirt on June 19, finishing behind debut winner and next out Grade 3 Sanford winner Mo Strike.

Trainer Ian Wilkes said that Our Dream Rye’d’s previous effort was key to his success at Saratoga.

“That was the idea of it, to get the race in down at Churchill,” said Wilkes. “We got a race in him and then got him where I felt was his preferred distance and surface.”

According to Wilkes, Our Dream Rye’d’s only flaw thus far is breaking.

“He broke a little tardily. That’s the mistake he’s making at the moment,” said Wilkes. “But, stretching him out and running him long on the grass for the first time was very good.”

Wilkes said that the win earned Our Dream Rye’d an opportunity to step up to graded stakes company where he will be pointed towards the Grade 3 $175,000 With Anticipation, a 1 1/16-mile test for juveniles over the Saratoga lawn August 31.

Purchased out of the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training for $210,000, Our Dream Rye’d is out of the Bernardini mare On the Trail.

Bourbon Lane Stable’s Hard Rye Guy breezed five-eighths over the Oklahoma Turf Sunday morning. NYRA clockers captured Hard Rye Guy going 1:04.33 in his first work since finishing an even fourth in an allowance event last month at Belmont Park.

“Everything was good. I didn’t want much except a nice maintenance work and it was perfect,” said Wilkes.

The 4-year-old gelding by Hard Spun will look to return to the races in allowance company later in the Saratoga meet.

Wilkes also said that Mary Abeel Sullivan Revocable Trust’s graded stakes-winner Mira Mission could make his next start in the Grade 1 $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational. Contested at 1 1/2-miles on the August 27 Runhappy Travers undercard, Saratoga Race Course’s prestigious turf race for older horses is a “Win and You’re In” event to the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November at Keeneland.

Mira Mission, last seen finishing an even sixth in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple at Saratoga on Opening Weekend, has shown graded stakes success since being transferred to Wilkes from former conditioner Thomas Bush. Mira Mission missed Grade 1 glory by just a neck two starts back when second to Santin in the Grade 1 Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

“He’s come out of the race good,” said Wilkes. “We’ve got a little bit of time, about four weeks, so that’s where I’ll run him.”

The 4-year-old gelding by Noble Mission became a graded stakes winner in March, capturing the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park. A lifetime winner of over $470,000, Mira Mission has compiled a record of 13-5-2-2, including 6-2-1-1 since joining Wilkes’ barn.

Whitham Thoroughbreds’ Walkathon is possible for the Grade 3 $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational, a 1 3/16-mile turf test for sophomore fillies on August 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

Wilkes also reported that Bourbon Lane Stable and Six Column Stables’ Bourbon Resolve, who was a vet scratch out of Saturday’s first race, would require time off.

“He’s going to go home and we’ll re-evaluate him. It’s something minor,” said Wilkes. “Just have to take care of the horse. The horse comes first.” 

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Casamigos for Jocks and Horses fundraiser for Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund to be held on August 5

The Adelphi Hotel on Broadway in Saratoga Springs will host the Casamigos for Jocks and Horses on Tuesday, August 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to raise money for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF). Tickets are $25 and include a signature drink and hors d’oeuvres. 

Casamigos Tequila has donated a limited-edition bottle of tequila signed by the Saratoga Race Course jockey colony that is available in addition to a signature drink and hors d’oeuvres for $175. All proceeds will go directly to PDJF and TRF. For more information, visit https://theadelphihotel.com/event/casamigos/.