Speaktomeofsummer Sheds Blinkers for Lake Placid

An equipment change could lead to an elevated performance from stakes-winning Speaktomeofsummer when she faces an evenly matched group of 3-year-old fillies in the $150,000 Lake Placid Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga Race Course July 19.

The daughter of Summer Front  who sat closer to the pace and lacked her usual kick when fourth with blinkers in the June 20 Wonder Again Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park now races without blinkers, as she did over all of last year. In 2019, she won two of three starts, including the Chelsey Flower Stakes Nov. 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Video: Chelsey Flower S. (BT)

Beyond the equipment difference, Waterford Stable's Speaktomeofsummer is also a candidate to move forward in her second start following a 7 1/2-month layoff. She races 1 1/8 miles for the first time after competing strictly in one-mile races.

Joel Rosario, who rode her in the Wonder Again, returns in the Lake Placid, which has Blame Debbie, Lashara, Stunning Sky, and Cat's Pajamas among its other top contenders.

"It's a bit of an ambitious spot, but she's been working very well, so we're giving it a go," said Speaktomeofsummer's trainer, Christophe Clement.

Trainer Graham Motion has twice won the Lake Placid, capturing the 2009 edition with Shared Account and last year when Varenka finished in a dead heat with the Chad Brown-conditioned Regal Glory. This year, Motion will saddle Cat's Pajamas and Blame Debbie.

Cat's Pajamas, owned by Larkin Armstrong and breeder Jack Swain III, was transferred to Motion after two off-the-board finishes on the main track for Bill Mott last year. Motion switched the Street Sense  filly to grass, resulting in back-to-back wins, a 1 1/16-mile route May 17 at Churchill Downs and a half-length victory over Lashara in a June 14 allowance at the same distance at Belmont Park.

"I think being able to stretch her out as a 3-year-old and getting her on the grass has helped her," Motion said. "She's been impressive in the mornings since we had her. The time off has helped her, too. I think she can handle the mile and an eighth. It's always encouraging when they can come back and duplicate their performances against winners."

Hall of Famer John Velazquez, a three-time Lake Placid winner who has been aboard for both of Cat's Pajamas' turf wins, will be in the irons again.

Blame Debbie, who was graded-placed in the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) on the main track in December at Aqueduct in her first start following a partial sale and a transfer to Motion, now races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Michael Cloonan, and Timothy Thornton.

After rear-half finishes in her first two starts in 2020, she ran a close third in a first-level allowance at Belmont Park on turf June 21.

"I thought her last race was very impressive against older fillies," Motion said. "The key with her can be the distance. She likes to go longer, and I think she's at her best on the grass."

Jose Ortiz rides her for the first time.

Ranking among the fastest on speed figures is Stunning Sky, who was sixth most recently in the Regret Stakes (G3T) June 27 at Churchill Downs. The late runner has Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle for trainer Mike Maker.

The 37th running of the Lake Placid is Race 9 on Sunday's 10-race card. 

Entries: Lake Placid S. (G2T)

Saratoga Race Course, Sunday, July 19, 2020, Race 9

• Grade II
• 1 1/8m
• Inner turf
• $150,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 5:46 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Speaktomeofsummer (KY)	Joel Rosario	118	Christophe Clement	5/1
2	2Blame Debbie (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	118	H. Graham Motion	8/1
3	3Lashara (GB)	Javier Castellano	118	Mark E. Casse	4/1
4	4Queens Embrace (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Kathleen O'Connell	6/1
5	5Key Biscayne (FL)	Manuel Franco	118	Juan Alvarado	15/1
6	6Stunning Sky (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	118	Michael J. Maker	3/1
7	7Mirabell Mei (KY)	Jose Lezcano	118	John P. Terranova II	15/1
8	8Cat's Pajamas (KY)	John R. Velazquez	118	H. Graham Motion	5/2