Susie Raisher Photo

Forte and Tapit Trice breeze in company for G1 Travers; Nest works in company for G1 Personal Ensign

by NYRA Press Ofiice

• Forte and Tapit Trice breeze in company for G1 Travers; Nest works in company for G1 Personal Ensign
• Haul steps up to the task in G2 Saratoga Special; Wellman excited about $1.5 million Fasig-Tipton Sales purchase
• Played Hard works over Spa main track for G1 Personal Ensign
• Verstappen could target G1 Sword Dancer off good second in G2 Bowling Green
• Behind Enemy Lines posts sharp work ahead of rescheduled G2 Hall of Fame
• Southlawn back on the work tab; Pretty Birdie retired
• Skippylongstocking under consideration for G1 JCGC; Billy the Greek set for stakes debut in $150K Skidmore
• Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 to feature all graded-stakes sequence from Colonial Downs and Saratoga Race Course
• Early look at Saratoga Race Course Week 6 stakes probables

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable’s reigning Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Forte and Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable’s Grade 1 Blue Grass-winner Tapit Trice worked in company over the main track Thursday in preparation for the 10-furlong Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26, at Saratoga Race Course.

Forte, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. up, worked without blinkers to the outside of Tapit Trice, who was guided through the half-mile breeze by exercise rider Fernando Rivera. The workmates stopped the clock in 48.33.

“I thought both horses worked extremely well - both were moving really well and good gallop outs,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. “They came back and cooled out quickly. We got what we were hoping for.”

It was the first breeze back for both horses after Forte’s thrilling nose score in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on July 29 at the Spa and Tapit Trice’s fifth-place effort in the Grade 1 Haskell on July 22 at Monmouth Park.

While the consistent Forte has won 7-of-9 starts, including four Grade 1 scores, Tapit Trice has endured difficult trips in his last three outings when seventh in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby in May at Churchill Downs and a closing third on June 10 in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets.

Pletcher said he would like to see Tapit Trice be more involved early in his races.

“He reacts well to the doors opening, but he just doesn't get away from the gate real quickly and I think that's compromised his chances in a couple of races,” Pletcher said.

With Luis Saez committed to ride Kentucky Derby-winner Mage in the Travers, Pletcher said it is likely either Jose Ortiz or Flavien Prat would pick up the mount aboard Tapit Trice.

Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House’s reigning Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Nest worked a half-mile in 49.44 in company with sophomore maiden filly Sister Maha.

“I thought she was impressive. I had her coming home in 23 and a couple and just galloped out really strongly,” said Pletcher of the work from the three-time Grade 1 winner.

Nest completed her sophomore season with a fourth-place finish to her victorious stablemate Malathaat in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November at Keeneland and made a triumphant return from an eight-month layoff to best multiple Grade 1-winner Clairiere in the nine-furlong Grade 2 Shuvee on July 23 at the Spa.

“She seems to thrive on racing,” Pletcher said. “I was little concerned running her a mile and an eighth off the layoff from the Breeders' Cup and it seems like the race moved her forward.”

The $350,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase finished a game second to stablemate Mo Donegal in last year’s Grade 1 Belmont Stakes and exited that effort to win a pair of Grade 1s at the Spa in the CCA Oaks and Alabama.

“Everything does seem to come easily to her and I'm amazed the way she maintains her fitness and comes out of her races,” Pletcher said. “We noticed it last year in the Belmont. It was a concern running a filly against colts at a mile and a half and is there some risk it could knock her out a little bit, but it did just the opposite. It moved her forward.”

Nest is targeting the nine-furlong Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign on August 25 at Saratoga Race Course.

Pletcher will be represented by a pair of multiple graded stakes-winners here Saturday with Emmanuel and Annapolis lining up in the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap going one mile over the Spa’s inner turf.

The Fourstardave is a “Win And You’re In” qualifier for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile in November at Santa Anita Park.

With racing off the turf Thursday at Saratoga and more rain in the forecast, Pletcher said he is hopeful the sun will come out on Saturday.

“We would prefer firm ground for both. We'll monitor the situation and see on race day. It seems like we're due to miss some forecasted rain for a change,” Pletcher said.

Pletcher will also be represented in Saturday stakes action by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and St. Elias Stable’s debut maiden winner Haul in the Grade 2, $200,000 Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juveniles.

The Army Mule bay earned a 68 Beyer Speed Figure for his three-length score sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs on July 9 at Belmont Park. He has breezed back three times, including a half-mile effort Saturday in 48.13 over the main track.

“He's been a perfect citizen since he walked in,” Pletcher said. “He never missed a beat and trained very professionally for his debut. I thought he ran like a seasoned horse and he's trained well since.”

Ortiz, Jr. retains the mount from post 4.

Pletcher said Harrel Ventures and Starlight Racing’s maiden winner Pirate, who earned a 77 Beyer for his debut win here on July 15, will train up to the seven-furlong Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful on September 4 at the Spa.

“I don't know that he needed more time, but I felt with the Grade 1 status of the Hopeful that we'd be taking our best shot at it by not running in between the maiden race and there,” Pletcher said.

Pirate made every pole a winning one on debut sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs at the Spa, outdueling Arteta to mark the opening quarter-mile in 22.26 seconds and drawing away to score in a final time of 1:04.89 with a three-length advantage to runner-up Just Steel, who exited that effort to earn an 88 Beyer in a nose score sprinting six furlongs here.

***

Haul steps up to the task in G2 Saratoga Special; Wellman excited about $1.5 million Fasig-Tipton Sales purchase

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Aron Wellman said he likes what he’s seen from Haul thus far as he looks to continue to live up to his connections’ expectations in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Herb Moelis Saratoga Special for juveniless going 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Race Course.

Owned by Eclipse in partnership with Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable, Haul was an impressive three-length winner of his debut going 5 1/2 furlongs on July 9 at Belmont Park. The son of second crop sire Army Mule earned a 68 Beyer Speed Figure for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.

“He’s been a colt that from the moment he arrived in Todd’s barn, he was as professional as can be. He was impressive in his training and lived up to it in his debut,” Wellman said. “Very straightforward, broke well on the outside, sat right off the speed, engaged turning for home and powered away in the stretch. You never take anything for granted in any race, let alone with a first-time starter, but it was what we were hoping for based on the way he trained. I was very pleased with the way he delivered.”

Haul is out of the California-bred Western Fame mare Western Kitty and hails from the notable Cee’s Song bloodlines, which produced Hall of Famer Tiznow and multiple graded stakes winning multimillionaire Budroyale. His third dam Tizso produced Grade 1-winner and Champion producer Paynter.

Haul was a $260,000 acquisition at this year’s OBS April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, where he completed his eighth-mile move in a sharp 9.4 seconds.

Wellman called the move “seemingly effortless” and noted the colt’s calm demeanor both on the track and while being shown to buyers.

“He’s a really athletic colt,” Wellman said. “Those types of breeze up shows can fool you sometimes, but this colt gave me the impression that he was rock solid. He was fast to the wire and galloped out with good energy and he was just a cool dude on the shank all week long at the barn. Army Mule is a horse who is remarkably talented and a gifted individual himself and we’re starting to see him make a statement as a stallion. That was certainly appealing to us. He’s also out of a mare that raced in California, who I was familiar with. He was really bulletproof on the track and at the barn. Once we got down to the nitty gritty and got our shortlist tidied up, he was right there at the top of the class.”

Irad Ortiz, Jr. guided the horse to victory in his career debut and returns to the irons from post 4.

Wellman is already excited for next year with a $1.5 million Fasig-Tipton Sales purchase by Into Mischief out of the Grade 1 winning Bernardini mare Rachel’s Valentina, who won Saratoga’s Grade 1 Spinaway in 2015. The bay colt’s second dam is 2009 Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Rachel Alexandra. He was bought out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment.

“The pedigree speaks for itself. Into Mischief is arguably one of the best sires of our generation, Rachel’s Valentina was a Grade 1 winner at two and by Bernardini who is one of the greatest broodmare sires of our generation, and a grandson of Rachel Alexandra, who is arguably one of the greatest race mares of our generation,” Wellman said. “The pedigree stands on its own merit, but he had to stack up to it physically and he was just a man amongst boys out there at the sales grounds all week long in our opinion. According to the Taylor brothers, he was shown around 230 some odd times. He was just as good in his first show as he was in his last at the beginning of the ring and the end of the ring. He had the mind, the constitution and just an incredible physicality that matched the pedigree. We’re really honored to add him to the stable and were honored to have partners that are game to step up and buy horses with this type of profile."

The colt was bred by Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables, who have stayed in on campaigning the colt.

“We’ll race him in partnership with Stonestreet and we’re honored to be partnered with Stonestreet and the Banke family,” Wellman said. “He'll be broken at Stonestreet in Ocala and hopefully make his way to Todd Pletcher.”

***

Played Hard works over Spa main track for G1 Personal Ensign

Rigney Racing’s Grade 1-winner Played Hard logged a five-furlong breeze in 1:00.05 in company with the stakes-placed 4-year-old gelding Warrior Johny [1:01.14] over the Saratoga main track Thursday in preparation for the Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign on August 25 at Saratoga Race Course.

Played Hard, with exercise rider Santos Rivera up, tracked Warrior Johny in the sharp breeze and finished up strongly.

“When I'm looking for a strong work, I like to give a horse a target. We knew the horse in front of her is a quality individual, so we were going to get the work we wanted,” said trainer Phil Bauer, who enjoyed his first Grade 1 victory when Played Hard won the La Troienne on May 5 at Churchill Downs. “I was glad to see her come to him. She took a deep breath galloping out and that's what we needed to figure out where we're at with the missed time. A lot of times these good horses will move forward off things like that."

Played Hard was last seen finishing a prominent third in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on June 10 at Belmont Park, where she held a slim advantage at the three-quarters call but could not fend off the closing bids of Search Results and the victorious Clairiere. She was meant to start in the nine-furlong Grade 2 Shuvee on July 23 here but missed the race after spiking a temperature leading up to the race.

“We missed some time with her, so we needed a work like that to figure out where we're at with our target,” Bauer said. “This work was intended to give her a deep blow and we accomplished that. So, we'll see how she bounces out and go from there."

Bauer said Thursday’s work came on the heels of a disrupted work last week when the daughter of Into Mischief covered five-eighths in 1:01.71 after being forced to ease up in the final furlong.

“She broke off for a five-eighths work and approaching the quarter pole, a rider fell off near the wire and they kind of had to pull up at the eighth pole,” Bauer. “We certainly were looking for a little more, but she’s doing great.”

In addition to the La Troienne, Played Hard boasts a pair of Grade 3 wins last year at Churchill Downs in the Locust Grove and Falls City, which surrounded another Grade 1 placing when third in the Spinster in October at Keeneland. She has banked nearly $1.5 million in total purse earnings through a 16-6-5-3 record.

Bauer, who went 6-for-13 at last year’s Saratoga meet, has gotten off to a good start this year with two wins from 13 starts and two stakes placings. Among his best performers this summer is Rigney Racing’s Little Prankster, who dominated a 5 1/2-furlong off-the-turf maiden special weight on July 30.

The sophomore daughter of Practical Joke was part of a three-way duel for the lead through the first quarter-mile before drawing off with ease through each point of call and coasting home a 7 3/4-length winner under Tyler Gaffalione. She was awarded a career-best 86 Beyer Speed Figure after beginning her career with three consecutive runner-up finishes in Kentucky maiden special weights.

“She’s got a ton of ability and I was a little frustrated with myself and never guessed it would take her four starts to break her maiden with how she trained,” said Bauer. “But, mission accomplished finally, and hopefully onto a big fall campaign.”

Bauer said he would not rule out a future start in stakes company for the talented dark bay.

“We’ll play it by ear. We might flirt with some stakes nominations and see how some things come up,” said Bauer. “Most likely, we’ll point to a ‘1X’ and go from there. But with 3-year-old with her type of ability, we may find a situation and take advantage of it.”

Bauer sent out Rigney Racing’s Skratch Kat to a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Shuvee on July 23 where she earned graded black type for the first time in her 12th lifetime outing. Bauer said the daughter of Arrogate emerged from her effort well, but will likely take a step back in company for her next outing.

“She’s good. I don’t know if she’ll run up here again or not, but we may look at some MTOs,” said Bauer. “She’s doing very well. I think we were lucky enough last time to find a perfect situation for her, but she’s a nice filly in her own right. We’ll try and get that ‘two-other-than’ taken care of next.”

The $200,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase has banked $252,435 in total purse earnings through a record of 12-2-3-2. She is out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Wave Theory and is a direct maternal descendant of Reine-de-Course mare Real Delight. 

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Verstappen could target G1 Sword Dancer off good second in G2 Bowling Green

Andrew Farm, For the People Racing Stable and Windmill Manor Farm’s graded stakes-winner Verstappen could come under consideration for the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer, a 1 1/2-mile turf test for older horses that awards a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, on August 26 at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Brendan Walsh, the son of War Front was a last-out second to evergreen gelding Channel Maker in the Grade 2 Bowling Green traveling 1 3/8 miles on July 30 at the Spa. There, he rallied from fourth-of-9 under Declan Cannon and improved position in the final turn, but could not reel in the pacesetting Channel Maker and was defeated two lengths.

“He came back great and ran a great race. We were delighted with him,” said Walsh. “Where we’re going to go next, I’m not sure, but the next race here would definitely be an option. We’ll find out if he’s good enough.”

The 4-year-old gelding made the grade this spring with a gusty head score in the Grade 2 Elkhorn traveling 1 1/2 miles at Keeneland. He finished off-the-board in the Grade 1 Man o’ War in May at Belmont ahead of a third-place effort in the Jonathan B. Schuster Memorial on July 8 at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Verstappen was purchased for $325,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and has banked $514,607 through a record of 15-4-4-3.

***

Behind Enemy Lines posts sharp work ahead of rescheduled G2 Hall of Fame

Rockingham Ranch, Talla Racing and David Bernsen’s graded stakes-placed Behind Enemy Lines enjoyed an extra week of preparation for the Grade 2, $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, posting a sharp half-mile work in 47.20 seconds Saturday over the Spa’s Oklahoma dirt training track after the one-mile test for sophomores was moved to this Friday due to heavy rains last week.

Trained by Jack Sisterson, the Sioux Nation colt breezed the second-fastest work of 67 recorded that day for the distance.

“He’s doing really well and he’s never missed a beat in training since we got him, so we’re looking forward to Friday’s race,” said Sisterson. “He’s a true professional and nothing seems to get in his way. He was ready to run last week, but he enjoys his training. He’s a naturally a fast horse and if you let him run, he will go quick. That was very much in the bridle and he could have went a lot quicker. He has a lot left for Friday.”

Behind Enemy Lines enters the Hall of Fame from a game runner-up effort to Major Dude in the Grade 2 Penn Mile on June 2 at Penn National, earning place honors with an off the pace rush to come up three-quarters of a length shy of victory. That effort came after a closing sixth in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 American Turf on May 6 at Churchill Downs.

“I was very happy with the effort. He missed the break that day and he’s a horse who probably won’t get further than a mile, so the mile and a sixteenth that day probably called him out a bit,” Sisterson said, regarding the American Turf. “He made his move and flattened out a bit, but he’s improved each race numbers wise. We like that.”

Initially conditioned in Ireland by Joseph O’Brien, Behind Enemy Lines made his first start with a ninth-place effort over good footing at The Curragh ahead of a win sprinting six-furlongs over the all-weather surface at Dundalk. He made his first outing for Sisterson with a win in the 7 1/2-furlong Cutler Bay on April 1 at Gulfstream Park.

“Each race, each workout, every time we ask him to do something, he improves,” said Sisterson. “He’s got a great mind to him and has progressed along. Thanks to Joseph O’Brien for recommending me. He’s been brilliant.”

Behind Enemy Lines will emerge from post 3 in rein to Joel Rosario as the 8-1 co-fourth choice in the nine-horse field.

***

Southlawn back on the work tab; Pretty Birdie retired

Robert E. Masterson’s graded stakes-winner Southlawn, a troubled fifth last out in the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, breezed back a half-mile in 49.49 Sunday over the Spa main track.

Trained by Norm Casse, the Pioneerof the Nile bay captured the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks in March, but has endured poor racing luck since, finishing 10th in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks in May where she bumped with rivals into the first turn and encountered more traffic trouble when swinging wide and brushing with foes again into the stretch. Last out, on July 22 in the nine-furlong CCA Oaks, Southlawn stumbled out of the gate from the inside post and rushed up to attend the pace before fading.

“She worked an easy half,” Casse said. “She came out of the race fine. It's just a throw out race. It's hard for a filly to overcome a break like that. She came out of the race well and has been doing well ever since.”

Southlawn is nominated to the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales on August 19 here, but Casse said he wants to see one more work before considering any potential targets.

Southlawn posted an impressive 3 1/4-length victory over eventual Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks-winner Pretty Mischievous in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks, equaling a career-best 86 Beyer. The $290,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase is out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Uncle Mo mare Mo d’Amour, a half-sister to the multiple graded stakes-placed Colonial Creed.

Marylou Whitney Stables’ graded stakes winning Kentucky homebred Pretty Birdie has been retired.

The 4-year-old Bird Song grey captured the 2021 Grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga as the highlight of a 13-race career in which she posted a record of 4-3-1 for purse earnings of $521,488. Her ledger includes a pair of stakes wins last year at Oaklawn Park in the Purple Martin and Poinsettia along with a strong second in the Grade 2 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs.

Pretty Birdie made four starts this year, hitting the board twice before a last-out seventh in her turf debut on June 16 at Ellis Park.

“We tried her on turf one time and it seemed like she didn't appreciate that, so we decided it's time for her to be a mom. She doesn't owe us anything and we're proud of what we were able to accomplish with her,” Casse said.

Casse said he’s already looking forward to seeing Pretty Birdie’s progeny take flight.

“One of the coolest things about training for the Marylou Whitney Stable is that they breed to race,” Casse said. “Now, two or three years down the line, I'll be training the babies of the horses that I’ve trained. Not too many ownership groups are doing it like that anymore and I’m proud of that.”

Pretty Birdie is out of the Street Sense mare Bird Sense, who is a half-sister to the graded stakes-placed Bird Maker and stakes-placed Cheechako.

***

Skippylongstocking under consideration for G1 JCGC; Billy the Greek set for stakes debut in $150K Skidmore

Daniel Alonso’s multiple graded stakes-winner Skippylongstocking, a game third in last year’s Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, is under consideration for the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on September 2 at the Spa. The 10-furlong test for 3-year-olds and up offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in November at Santa Anita Park.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., the 4-year-old Exaggerator colt was last seen finishing a close second to Giant Game in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Cornhusker Handicap on July 8 at Prairie Meadows.

“The winner got an uncontested lead and we got to him, but just couldn't go by him,” Joseph, Jr. said. “The track was favoring speed on the day, but we had a chance to go by and we couldn't, so second best on the day.”

Joseph, Jr. said he is also considering the nine-furlong Grade 2, $1 million Charles Town Classic on August 25 for Skippylongstocking, who has breezed back twice over the Spa main track, including a half-mile in 49.56 on August 6.

“He went good. He went a half by himself last week and he's going to go in company this week,” Joseph, Jr. said. “He'll stay on a weekly schedule working. This week will be a stronger work in company.”

Joseph, Jr. said he has no qualms about the Classic distance of the Jockey Club Gold Cup for Skippylongstocking.

“Ten furlongs is well within his reach. He ran well in the Belmont at 12 furlongs,” Joseph, Jr. said.

Skippylongstocking, who also finished third in last year’s Grade 2 Wood Memorial at the Big A, notched Grade 3 scores last year in the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer and the Harlan’s Holiday at Gulfstream Park. He added the Grade 3 Challenger to his ledger in March at Tampa Bay Downs.

The $37,000 purchase at the 2021 OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training sale has banked $931,185 through a record of 18-5-2-3.

Kenneth Ramsey’s Kentucky homebred Billy the Greek earned a 65 Beyer Speed Figure for a narrow nose score in his July 21 debut here in a 5 1/2-furlong off-the-turf maiden special weight.

With Luis Saez up, the Goldencents gelding bobbled at the break and bumped with a rival before recovering to track in third position. He made a brave inside move in upper stretch and took charge late to secure the win at odds of 12-1.

Joseph, Jr. said Billy the Greek will target the $150,000 Skidmore, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for juveniles on August 18.

“It was a pleasant surprise that he won first time out,” Joseph, Jr. said. “Now we hope he will run on the grass. He's bred for the grass.”

Billy the Greek is out of the stakes-placed Kitten’s Joy mare Kitten’s Dancer, who is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Bigger Picture, who captured the 2017 Grade 1 United Nations over the Monmouth Park turf.

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Saturday’s Cross Country Pick 5 to feature all graded-stakes sequence from Colonial Downs and Saratoga Race Course

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host an all graded-stakes Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring racing from Saratoga Race Course and the Arlington Million Day card at Colonial Downs.

The Cross Country Pick 5 requires bettors to pick the winner of five select races from tracks across the country. The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country with each week featuring a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, boasting a low 15 percent takeout, offers sequences with races from Saratoga Race Course and partner tracks across the country.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence will be available for download at https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, August 12

Leg A: Saratoga Race Course - Race 8, G2 Herb Moelis Memorial Saratoga Special (5:06 p.m. Eastern)

Leg B: Colonial Downs - Race 8, G2 Secretariat (5:14 p.m.)

Leg C: Saratoga Race Course - Race 9, G1 Fourstardave Handicap (5:44 p.m.)

Leg D: Colonial Downs – Race 9, G1 Beverly D. (5:55 p.m.)

Leg E: Colonial Downs – Race 10, G1 Arlington Million (6:40 p.m.)

Saratoga Live will present daily coverage and analysis of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the best way to bet every race of the Belmont spring/summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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Early look at Saratoga Race Course Week 6 stakes probables

Wednesday, August 16

$125K Suzie O’Cain (NYB)

Probable: Im Just Kiddin (John Kimmel), Kosuke (James Bond), Orange Freeze (William Morey), Silver Skillet (Christophe Clement), Snowy Evening (David Donk), Thundara (Philip Antonacci)

Thursday, August 17

$125K Rick Violette (NYB)

Probable: Itsallcomintogetha (Phil Serpe), King of Comedy (Mike Maker), Noble Huntsman (Mitchell Friedman), Ramblin’ Wreck (Danny Gargan), Thethrillofvictory (Maker), Vacation Dance (Kimmel), Willintoriskitall (Jose Francisco D’Angelo)

Friday, August 18

$150K Skidmore

Probable: Billy the Greek (Saffie Joseph, Jr.), Fandom (Wesley Ward), Go Otto Go (Steve Asmussen), Jimmythetooth (Maker)

Saturday, August 19

G1 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales

Probable: Defining Purpose (Kenny McPeek), Gambling Girl (Todd Pletcher), Sabra Tuff (Dallas Stewart), Taxed (Randy Morse), Wet Paint (Brad Cox)

Possible: Julia Shining (Pletcher)

G2 Lake Placid

Probable: Heavenly Sunday (Cox), Malleymoo (Pletcher), Surge Capacity (Chad Brown)

Sunday, August 20

$150K Bolton Landing

Probable: Astonesthrowaway (Pletcher), Crown Imperial (John Ortiz), Gram (Clement), Scarlet Poppy (Ward)

Possible: Sugar Treat (Mark Casse)