March makes return in Fasig-Tipton Lure

by Najja Thompson

Set to make his first start in eight months since finishing second in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby last November, multiple graded stakes winner March for owner Robert LaPenta and trainer Chad Brown will look to fire fresh in the $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Lure for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

One of four supporting stakes races on a card highlighted by the 89th running of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney, the Lure will be carded as race 7 of 11 on the card with a first post of 1:00 p.m. EST.

A 4-year-old son of Blame, March initially showed promise on the dirt as a 3-year-old picking up a pair of stakes wins in the Grade 3 Bayshore at Aqueduct Racetrack and Grade 2 Woody Stephens at Belmont Park. Following supbar showings on the dirt at the Spa in the Grade 2 Amsterdam and Grade 1 King's Bishop, he was transferred to the turf where he initially finished fourth in the $100,000 English Channel Stakes at Belmont before going on to place second by a head in the Hollywood Derby. '

"Unfortunately, he sustained an injury shortly thereafter the Hollywood Derby and he had to go to the barn," said Brown. "Since his return he seems to be in good form in the mornings training so we'll see how he comes back."

Drawing post position 5, March will have the services of Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons.

Also entering for trainer Chad Brown is Shining Cooper for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Offering Plan for owner Michael Dubb. 

A 6-year-old claimed by the Ramsey's in May of 2015, Shining Cooper has shown ability racing on or near the lead picking up a respectable third-place finish in the Grade 1 Arlington Million last year and a second-place finish by a neck to start his 2016 campaign in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap. He last raced finishing seventh in the Grade 1 Makers 46 Mile on April 15 at Keeneland and has been sidelined by foot issues.

Offering Plan, who has two wins in three starts over the Saratoga turf course, will look to improve off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Poker on June 18 at Belmont. With Javier Castellano in the irons, the pair will leave from post 8.

Making his North American debut for trainer Todd Pletcher and Al Shaqab Racing is the English-bred Ectot. The 5-year-old primarily raced in France where he picked up four group stakes wins as a 3-year-old. Most recently at Chantilly he finished seventh in the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris last October.

"I know his form was off in his last couple of races but we've liked what we've seen since he's been here," said Pletcher. "He certainly has class and ability and we're hoping that translated here."

With Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard, the pair will leave from post 6.

Rounding out the field are Conquest Typhoon for trainer Mark Casse and Conquest Stables, who last out finished second July 16 in the Warrior Veterans Stakes at Indiana Grand Race Course; Bigger Picture for trainer Mike Maker and Three Diamonds Farms; Solemn Tribute for Lael Stable and trainer Brian Lynch, and Jay Gatsby for Allen Stable and trainer Jimmy Jerkens.