Angelo Lieto Photo

Roses for Debra delivers strong victory in $150K Smart N Fancy

by Mary Eddy

John O’Meara and Cheyenne Stable’s graded stakes-winner Roses for Debra kept her perfect turf record afloat with a dominant score in Friday’s $150,000 Smart N Fancy, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for older fillies and mares, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Christophe Clement and piloted by meet-leading rider Irad Ortiz, Jr., the 4-year-old Liam’s Map gray has relished a switch to turf since joining Clement’s barn this spring, landing her fourth consecutive victory on the heels of optional claiming conquests at Pimlico Race Course and Belmont Park, and a successful graded stakes debut last out in the Grade 3 Caress on July 22 at the Spa.

“She’s brilliant,” said Miguel Clement, son and assistant to Christophe Clement. “She’s a perfect 4-for-4 for us. She’s shown that she can win from on the lead nearly, from way off the pace, on very firm and as soft as it was today. Doesn’t matter, she has a devastating turn of foot on any going and it’s exciting.”

Roses for Debra emerged from post 3 in the four-horse field and broke on even terms with her rivals before the Junior Alvarado-piloted Train to Artemus took to the front to mark an opening quarter-mile in 22.14 seconds over the good footing. The field spread out in a line down the backstretch with Bubble Rock keeping Train to Artemus in her sights in second and Roses for Debra holding third over Talkin Tipsy.

Bubble Rock ranged up on the outside of Train to Artemus and was given her cue by Joel Rosario midway through the turn as a loaded Roses for Debra angled widest of all to make her run for the lead. Bubble Rock attempted to take a narrow advantage at the top of the lane and through a half-mile in 45.05, but proved no match for her Roses for Debra, who swept past with ease and crossed the wire 3 1/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:01.82.

Bubble Rock held place honors by one length over Train to Artemus with Talkin Tipsy, who was never involved, finishing fourth. Can’t Buy Love, Poppy Flower and main track-only entrants Self Isolation and Bluefield were scratched.

Ortiz, Jr., who also rode Roses for Debra to a prominent win in the Caress, said his mount responded strongly when asked in the stretch.

“Beautiful trip. The ground was a little soft but I rode her with confidence,” said Ortiz, Jr. “The last time she gave me a great feeling. She’s a really nice filly and we are very positive on her so I just trust her. She got the job done today. She did it easy. Very, very impressive, the turn of foot on the soft ground. She gave me a great kick.”

While Clement and co-owner O’Meara plan to run Roses for Debra in the Grade 2 Presque Isle Downs Masters on September 18 next, O’Meara said the filly’s recent form could have them looking at even bigger goals in the near future.

"I think we are probably going to go to Presque Isle for a Grade 2,” said O’Meara. “From there, either to Keeneland or the Breeders' Cup.

“It was pretty nice,” added O’Meara. “The tote board said it all really, everybody thought she'd run really well. It was nice having some scratches. You know it's always nicer to have a smaller field, but when they scratched out of there, I don't know whether they scratched because of the weather or because they were afraid of her. Going to have to keep going and see who will be afraid of her in the future.”

Bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm, Roses for Debra, who also won Presque Isle Downs’ Malvern Rose over synthetic last year, became the second consecutive Pennsylvania-bred to win this event after Caravel took last year’s edition en route to a win in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Roses for Debra banked $82,500 in victory and improved her lifetime record to 9-7-1-0, returning $2.70 for a $2 win ticket.

Bubble Rock, trained by two-time Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox, was attempting her second stakes conquest of the year after capturing the License Fee in May at Belmont. Rosario said the daughter of More Than Ready ran well in defeat.

“It looked like we were in a good spot turning for home, but the winner just blew by us,” said Rosario. “We were second best. She always tries really hard. It was a good race, but the winner ran a good race and she just keeps winning. My horse was good to hang on for second."

Live racing resumes Saturday at the Spa for a loaded 13-race Travers Day card, headlined by the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers in Race 12 and co-featuring four additional Grade 1 events. First post is 11:40 a.m. Eastern.      

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

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the summer meet. Available to horse players nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.