Grade 1 Winner Simply Ravishing Returns in Saratoga Dew
Image:
Description:
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Simply Ravishing heads out for morning training at Saratoga Race Course
The Aug. 12 feature at Saratoga Race Course is a stakes restricted to New York-breds, but that didn't stop it from drawing a grade 1 winner.
Harold Lerner, Magdalena Racing, and Nehoc Stables' grade 1 winner Simply Ravishing returns Thursday in the 1 1/8-mile, $100,000 Saratoga Dew Handicap for state-bred fillies and mares at Saratoga Race Course, her first since she was put back in training this summer.
The 3-year-old Laoban filly won three of five starts last year, topped by a 6 1/4-length score in the Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. She also won the off-the-turf P. G. Johnson Stakes last summer at the Spa.
In her lone start this year, the Kenny McPeek trainee set the pace in the April 3 Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland before fading to last of six.
Simply Ravishing was retired after the Ashland with a breathing problem but returned to training after not getting in foal when bred to Into Mischief . McPeek subsequently tweeted her breathing issue was resolved.
"She trains like a gorilla. She puts up bullets. I think she'll be right there," McPeek's assistant Francis Chiumiento said.
Her four opponents are all older, including 6-5 morning-line favorite Mrs. Orb and 5-2 second favorite Espresso Shot . Simply Ravishing is the 7-2 third choice.
Espresso Shot is a four-time stakes winner, Mrs. Orb a winner of three black-type events.
Dancing Kiki and Maiden Beauty complete the field.
Saratoga Race Course, Thursday, August 12, 2021, Race 3Entries: Saratoga Dew H.
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Dancing Kiki (NY)
Jose L. Ortiz
116
Michael J. Maker
8/1
2
2Simply Ravishing (NY)
Luis Saez
120
Kenneth G. McPeek
7/2
3
3Maiden Beauty (NY)
Joel Rosario
118
Robert N. Falcone, Jr.
4/1
4
4Espresso Shot (NY)
John R. Velazquez
122
Jorge R. Abreu
5/2
5
5Mrs. Orb (NY)
Dylan Davis
123
Michael Miceli
6/5
