Stanford Among Seven for Curlin Stakes

Looking to replicate V. E. Day's success last year in the Curlin Stakes as a springboard to an upset victory in the Travers Stakes (gr. I), a field of seven has been entered for the July 31 test at Saratoga Race Course.



The $100,000 Curlin, at 1 1/8 miles, is limited to 3-year-olds which have not won graded stakes over a mile in 2015. It has been carded as the fourth race on the 10-race Friday card at the Spa.



Trainer Todd Pletcher will be represented by two starters, including recent Long Branch Stakes winner Stanford, owned by Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith. A $550,000 purchase from the 2014 Barretts March sale of 2-year-olds in training, Stanford broke his maiden at Monmouth Park before moving right into graded stakes company. In last year's Saratoga Special (gr. II), the son of Malibu Moon   bobbled at the start and encountered a difficult trip before finishing sixth.



This year, the colt bred by WinStar Farm won an optional claimer before three consecutive second-place finishes in the Islamorada Handicap, Louisiana Derby (gr. II), and the Easy Goer Stakes previous to his Long Branch success in which he rallied from three wide to win by 1 1/4 lengths.



Stanford will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez and carry top weight of 123 pounds.



Pletcher also sends Tommy Macho, racing for Paul Pompa Jr. and All American Horses LLC.  A son of Macho Uno   bred by John Liviakis, Tommy Macho has two victories from four lifetime starts and enters off a third-place finish in the Dwyer Sakes (gr. III) on July 4. 



With Javier Castellano, Tommy Macho will depart from post 7.



Team Valor International has entered Unrivaled, a son of Super Saver who was claimed for $30,000 in October of 2014 at Keeneland. Trained by Marya Montoya, the son of Super Saver   has two wins from nine starts. Two starts back, he failed to menace racing outside for most of the way at Parx Racing after losing the Parx Derby by less than a length.



Making a return to dirt for the first time since April and looking to move forward will be King of New York for trainer Ken McPeek and owner Harold Lerner. Breaking his maiden in his eighth career start on March 14 at Oaklawn Park, the Street Boss   colt lost by a neck in an optional claimer at Oaklawn before trying the turf for three consecutive starts, with one win. Last out, he finished fourth in the American Derby (gr. IIIT).

Rounding out the field is Battle Midway for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito and owner Mossarosa; Tekton for Shortleaf Stable and trainer Anthony Dutrow, and Smart Transition for trainer John Shirreffs.