Fantasioso Stretches Back Out in John's Call

Bloom Racing Stable and trainer Ignacio Correas IV's Fantasioso , the runner-up in the two-mile Belmont Gold Cup (G2T) in June, will look to again thrive when competing at a long distance in the Aug. 25 $120,000 John's Call Stakes at 1 5/8 miles over Saratoga Race Course's Mellon turf course for horses that have not won a graded stakes contest in 2021.

Running in the marathon Belmont Gold Cup on the eve of Belmont Stakes Day, the 6-year-old son of Strategic Prince thrived going a career-long distance, finishing only behind Irish invader Baron Samedi .

The Argentinian-bred Fantasioso was a two-time group 3 winner in his native country, capturing the 2019 Progreso and the 2020 Botafogo, both at San Isidro. He began racing for his current connections this spring.

Fantasioso was shortened to 1 3/8 miles in his last start, the July 17 United Nations Stakes (G1T) at Monmouth Park, finishing unplaced. Correas said returning to a longer distance in his Saratoga debut should be beneficial. He will reunite with jockey Javier Castellano, who was aboard for the Belmont Gold Cup, breaking from post 6.

"(Fantasioso has) been training very well and I think the added distance will be in his favor," Correas said. "He's been doing well coming out of the United Nations and he'll be shipping to Saratoga and will be there Saturday night.

"He's run four times for me and three have been good races. I'll be happy if he can repeat any of those three races on Wednesday. We just threw out the United Nations. I think that was a little short for him. But he's been training like he was for those other races. I'm happy with him."

The Todd Pletcher-trained Shamrocket  has finished on the board in his last three starts on the New York Circuit. After running fourth in the May 8 Man o' War Stakes (G1T) at Belmont Park, the 4-year-old Tonalist   colt posted an allowance win at Belmont followed by a third-place effort in the 1 1/2-mile Grand Couturier Stakes July 5.

Returning to graded stakes company in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2T), the Dongel Racing runner rallied for a solid third July 31 at the Spa. Joel Rosario will pick up the mount Wednesday, exiting post 3.

Trinity Farm's Red Knight  will be looking to recapture the form that saw him take last October's Sycamore Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland. Trained by Bill Mott, the veteran 7-year-old Pure Prize  gelding has already raced at the Spa this meet, finishing fifth in the Bowling Green in his previous trip to the post. He has earned over $800,000 in 26 career starts with 8 wins under his belt.

Junior Alvarado will ride from the inside post.

Entries: John's Call S.

Saratoga Race Course, Wednesday, August 25, 2021, Race 9

• STK
• 1 5/8m
• Turf
• $120,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 5:39 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Red Knight (NY)	Junior Alvarado	124	William I. Mott	5/1
2	2Moretti (KY)	Rider TBA	124	Todd A. Pletcher	3/5
3	3Shamrocket (FL)	Joel Rosario	118	Todd A. Pletcher	5/2
4	4Ajourneytofreedom (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Michael J. Maker	7/2
5	5Conviction Trade (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	118	Michael J. Maker	12/1
6	6Fantasioso (ARG)	Javier Castellano	124	Ignacio Correas, IV	6/1
7	7Ry's the Guy (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Ian R. Wilkes	6/1
8	8Serve the King (GB)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	118	Chad C. Brown	3/1