Sweet Melania to Start From Hedge in Lake George
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher
Sweet Melania wins the Wonder Again Stakes at Belmont Park
After opening 2020 with a gate-to-wire victory in the Wonder Again Stakes (G3T) June 20 on the turf at Belmont Park, Sweet Melania figures to use her speed Aug. 28 when she starts from the inside in the $100,000 Lake George Stakes (G3T) on the Saratoga Race Course inner turf.
The one-mile test for 3-year-old fillies has attracted 11 entries, although Miss Peppina will only go if the race is moved to the main track.
Robert and Lawana Low's Sweet Melania earned her maiden win on the Saratoga inner turf last year and then just missed when she finished second by a neck in the P. G. Johnson Stakes on the main turf at the Spa. After that effort, the daughter of American Pharoah delivered a 5 1/2-length score in the JPMorgan Chase Jessamine Stakes (G2T) on the Keeneland turf.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Sweet Melania closed her juvenile season with a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).
In June Sweet Melania, with regular rider Jose Ortiz up, proved much the best in the Wonder Again, racing within herself while enjoying a clear advantage early, opening up 3 1/2 lengths on the field in the stretch, and cruising home to a 1 1/2-length win. That effort pleased Pletcher, who enters the racing week tied with Chad Brown atop the Saratoga meet standings with 22 wins.
"She's a quality filly and I was pleased with her effort off the layoff," said Pletcher, who won previous editions of the Lake George with Ready's Gal (2005) and Magnificent Song (2006).
Sweet Melania breezed a half-mile in :48.72 Aug. 21.
"She breezed super on Friday, so hopefully she's ready to run well again," added Pletcher.
Video: Wonder Again S. (G3T)
Along with Quick Call Stakes (G3T) winner Turned Aside and Regret Stakes (G3T) winner Harvey's Lil Goil, Sweet Melania is one of three North American graded stakes winners on turf this year for Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. He has not yet had a graded stakes winner on dirt this season in North America.
Sweet Melania placed third in a pair of maiden races on the dirt last year before being moved to the grass, where she has won three of five starts.
"It's been interesting to see how much success he's had on the grass," Pletcher said of the fast-starting young sire. "She's a case of one that you can see a noticeable difference in when you get her on the turf. I think she has tactical speed she can carry. A mile is a good fit for her."
Ortiz will be back aboard as he attempts a fifth stakes victory this meet from post 1.
Among the challengers for Sweet Melania Friday are a trio of runners from top stables in Godolphin homebred Micheline, winner of the Honey Ryder Stakes on the Gulfstream Park turf in May; Klaravich Stables' Selflessly, winner of last year's Miss Grillo Stakes (G2T) for trainer Chad Brown; and Stonestreet Stables' Windracer, who scored in her North American debut earlier this month at Arlington International Racecourse.
Saratoga Race Course, Friday, August 28, 2020, Race 9Entries: Lake George S. (G3T)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Sweet Melania (KY)
Jose L. Ortiz
124
Todd A. Pletcher
8/5
2
2Micheline (KY)
Joel Rosario
122
Michael Stidham
9/2
3
3Witez (KY)
Jose Lezcano
118
Ian R. Wilkes
8/1
4
4Velvet Crush (KY)
Luis Saez
118
Rodolphe Brisset
20/1
5
5My Sassy Sarah (NY)
Eric Cancel
118
Michelle Nevin
12/1
6
6Cat's Pajamas (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
H. Graham Motion
5/1
7
7Miss Peppina (FL)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
118
Gary P. Gullo
5/2
8
8Selflessly (MD)
Irad Ortiz, Jr.
122
Chad C. Brown
6/1
9
9Windracer (IRE)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
118
Jack Sisterson
12/1
10
10Sugar Fix (FL)
Junior Alvarado
120
Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.
15/1
11
11American Giant (FL)
Manuel Franco
118
Michael J. Trombetta
30/1
