WHITNEY TOPS BIG SARATOGA WEEKEND
Metropolitan H. (G1) star Tizway leads a solid field of older males postward in Saturday’s $750,000 Whitney Invitational H. (G1) at Saratoga. The James Bond-trained son of Tiznow is among the top milers in the nation and will attempt to get an extra furlong today at his home base.
Grade 1 hero Rail Trip was a good second behind a top contender in here in his 2011 debut and could surprise as a factor from start to finish. The Richard Dutrow-trained son of Jump Start has plenty of early zip and should improve in his local debut. Mission Impazible missed in the Stephen Foster (G1) by a neck and can’t be ignored for leading trainer Todd Pletcher. Friend or Foe is a recent stakes winner and has the ability for John Kimmel. The son of Friends Lake was a decent fourth in the Jim Dandy (G2) here last summer and is a better animal now.
Among the other notable standouts in this rich field include dual Grade 1 victor Giant Oak, Carter H. (G1) star Morning Line and Suburban H. (G2) romper Flat Out.
Also on Saturday is the $250,000 Test S. (G1) for sophomore fillies. The field for the Test is shaping up to be a salty one. Bobby Flay’s Her Smile made good in the Prioress S. (G1) with a charging run late and could be among the top betting choices in here. The Todd Pletcher-trained daughter of Include is improving with seemingly every start and will be a presence in the lane.
Two-time Grade 1 heroine and Acorn (G1) runner-up Turbulent Descent rarely takes a bad step and is another who could vie for favoritism in this affair for Mike Puype. Dogwood S. (G3) queen Salty Strike, stakes vixen Roman Treasure, Forward Gal S. (G2) victress Pomeroy’s Pistol and Bob Baffert’s American Lady, are among the marquee names in here.
Sunday plays host to a pair of graded sprints, led by the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1). This dash is to attract top one-turn runners as Apriority, Grade 2 romper Trappe Shot, Grade 1 victor Noble’s Promise and the crack sprinter Sean Avery.
The $150,000 Honorable Miss S. (G2), also on Sunday, is led by dual Grade 1 heroine Champagne d’Oro and multiple Grade 2 star Tar Heel Mom.