Vequist's Half Sister Mainstay Leads Adirondack

Eleven months after her half sister Vequist  shined at Saratoga Race Course by winning the Spinaway Stakes (G1) during a championship season, Mainstay  will look to continue her family's winning history at the Spa. The latter faces eight other 2-year-old fillies in the Aug. 8 Adirondack Stakes (G2) over 6 1/2 furlongs.

Mainstay, a daughter of Astern   out of the Mineshaft   mare Vero Amore , has started twice for trainer Butch Reid Jr., winning a maiden race at Monmouth Park on debut by 7 3/4 lengths June 4 before a runner-up finish as the favorite in the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) at Saratoga July 15. She bobbled at the start of the latter race and chased victorious Pretty Birdie , who skips the Adirondack to await the Spinaway next month.

LC Racing owns Mainstay with breeder Swilcan Stable. Swilcan Stable also bred and still co-owns Vequist with partners Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable.

"I think she raced a little greenly last time," said Reid, who also conditions Vequist. "She got a little distracted through the lane."

"I think her experience can only help her this time," he added. "I normally wouldn't have raced her back this quickly, but she came out of it great and very determined and very serious, so we're going. I think she just needs a little seasoning and I think having these races under her belt will be nothing but a benefit to her. You can't live on reputation alone. Now she's riding on her big sister V's coattails, but she's got to prove it on her own."

Joel Rosario will ride from post 8. The jockey piloted Vequist to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) last fall at Keeneland.

Trainer Steve Asmussen, who saddled last year's Adirondack victress Thoughtfully  and three other Adirondack winners, starts Winchell Thoroughbreds' Wicked Halo . She is a daughter of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner   out of Just Wicked , who scored for the trainer in the 2015 Adirondack.

"They're basically twins," the Hall of Famer said of the dam and 2-year-old.

Wicked Halo scored at first asking in June on a muddy Lone Star Park surface. Last out, she faded to third after setting a fast pace in the six-furlong Debutante Stakes June 26 at Churchill Downs. She finished a half-length behind beaten favorite and runner-up Ontheonesandtwos , who also returns in the Adirondack.

"Wicked Halo deserves the chance," said Asmussen. "I ran her back fairly quick after the Debutante from the one hole. It could have been different for her."

Jose Ortiz will ride from post 7.

Joel Politi's Microbiome  won her debut by 5 1/2 lengths on the same day as the Schuylerville. The Tom Amoss trainee drew the outside post 9 with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.

"She's exciting. She showed a lot of talent to us before we ever ran her," said Amoss, who also trained 2020 Ballerina Stakes (G1) winner Serengeti Empress  for Politi. 

Rounding out the field are J L's Rockette , Interstatedaydream , Saucy Lady T , Shesawildjoker , and Boss Lady Kim .

The Adirondack is the eighth race on the 10-race card, which also includes the $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes (G3T) and the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes.

Entries: Adirondack S. (G2)

Saratoga Race Course, Sunday, August 08, 2021, Race 8

• Grade II
• 6 1/2f
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 2 yo Fillies
• 5:05 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	J L's Rockette (KY)	Junior Alvarado	120	William I. Mott	-
2	Ontheonesandtwos (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	120	Norm W. Casse	-
3	Saucy Lady T (KY)	Manuel Franco	120	James K. Chapman	-
4	Shesawildjoker (NY)	John R. Velazquez	120	David G. Donk	-
5	Boss Lady Kim (FL)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	120	Gregory D. Sacco	-
6	Interstatedaydream (ON)	Luis Saez	120	Brad H. Cox	-
7	Wicked Halo (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	120	Steven M. Asmussen	-
8	Mainstay (KY)	Joel Rosario	120	Robert E. Reid, Jr.	-
9	Microbiome (FL)	Tyler Gaffalione	120	Thomas M. Amoss	-