Fields Forming for 'Super Saturday' Stakes

The fields for six graded stakes on Belmont Park's Oct. 3 "Super Saturday" card are beginning to take form. 

 

The program is anchored by four stakes as part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series, headlined by the 97th running of the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I). 

 

Last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup champion Tonalist is expected to take on five challengers when he attempts to defend his title and earn a berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), facing a mix of familiar rivals in Effinex, Wicked Strong, and Coach Inge, as well as a pair of relative newcomers to the division in Constitution and Looks to Spare.

 

Tonalist, who also upset California Chrome's bid for the Triple Crown in last year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I), went on to finish fifth in the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic, closing out his sophomore year with four wins from eight starts.

 

Trained by Christophe Clement for Robert Evans, the bay son of Tapit   has made most of the major dances on the NYRA circuit this summer, turning in runner-up finishes in the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) and in the Suburban (gr. II). Tonalist most recently finished third in the Whitney (gr. I) Aug. 8 at Saratoga Race Course.

 

Last year's Jim Dandy (gr. II) winner and Travers (gr. I) runner-up Wicked Strong, who lost rider Rajiv Maragh when he clipped heels with another horse in last year's Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Suburban hero Effinex are probable for trainer Jimmy Jerkens.

 

Trainer Todd Pletcher is likely to saddle a pair of contenders in grade II Brooklyn victor Coach Inge and grade I Donn Handicap winner Constitution. 

 

O'zbekiston Racing's Looks to Spare, a 74-1 longshot winner in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes, is also expected to join the mix for trainer Otabek Umarov. 

 

Trainer Chad Brown is likely to saddle a trio of accomplished runners in the $500,000 Flower Bowl (gr. IT) at 1 1/4 miles on the inner turf course.

 

Brown's contingent is comprised of Dacita, the Chilean-bred 4-year-old who most recently won the grade II Ballston Spa at Saratoga in his first start in North America, along with multiple graded stakes winner Stephanie's Kitten, who finished second in the grade I Beverly D. at Arlington International Racecourse to stablemate Watsdachances.

 

Hall of Famer Bill Mott is pointing grade III Glens Falls winner White Rose toward the race for owners Jake Ballis and Rashard Lewis, as well America, for owner Bobby Flay, who last out ran to a fifth-place finish in the grade I Personal Ensign.

 

Also expected for the race is Irish-bred Mutatis Mutandis, who will be making his first start in North America for trainer Ed Walker and Chasemore Farm, while Glens Falls runner-up Eastern Belle and Photo Call remain possible entrants from the barn of trainer Graham Motion. 

 

Multiple graded stakes winner Honor Code, a leader in the older male division, is likely to headline the $400,000 Kelso (gr. II) at a mile. 

 

Opting for the Kelso instead of the Jockey Club Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles, Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey is hoping to use the race as a final prep before a potential start in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Honor Code would be returning to the one-turn distance at which he impressively won Met Mile in June, before going on to capture the Whitney at Saratoga.

 

Shipping back east from California, where he finished third in the TVG Pacific Classic (gr. I) at Del Mar, and also expected to cut back in distance for the Kelso is Red Vine for trainer Christophe Clement.  

 

Probable to try dirt for the first time is Al Shaqab Racing's Mshawish, who last out finished fifth on the grass in the grade II Fourstardave for Pletcher; Vyjack, who has made his last three starts on the turf, is also likely to make a return to the surface where he was a multiple graded stakes winner as a 3-year-old.

 

Trainer Kiaran MacLaughlin will point Shadwell Stable's Tamarkuz, who most recently finished fifth in the Forego (gr. I) at seven furlongs. Trainer Michael Hushion is expected to enter Watchel Stable's Scarly Charly, who last out finished second by a nose in the Tale of the Cat at Saratoga on Aug. 23.

 

Two-year-olds will be vying for berths in their respective Breeders' Cup divisions as well in the $500,000 Champagne (gr. I) and the $400,000 Frizette (gr. I) for juvenile fillies, both at a mile.

 

Reddam Racing's Ralis, dominating winner of the Hopeful (gr. I) on closing day at Saratoga, heads the contenders for the Champagne, which will be run for the 145th time. The homebred son of Square Eddie  , trained by Doug O'Neill, is 2-1-0 from five career starts, having broken his maiden in June at Santa Anita Park.

 

Also pointing to the Champagne are Sunny Ridge, winner of the Sapling at Monmouth Park, and recent maiden winners Greenpointcrusader, Rafting, Ready Dancer, Sail Ahoy, and Tale of S'avall, with Hopeful runner-up Magna Light and Berb's Monarchy, three-length maiden winner at Parx Racing last time out, possible.

 

Nirvana Stables' She's All Ready, who has won both her starts facing New York-breds by a combined margin of 11 1/4 lengths, tops the list of probables for the Frizette (gr. I), which is in its 67th edition. 

 

Lining up to face the winner of the restricted Seeking the Ante at Saratoga likely will be maiden winners Desert Tune, Nickname, Where's the D, and Width, along Anna Rae, fourth in the Spinaway (gr. I) at the Spa, the unraced Nemoralia, and possibly Delicate Lady, third in the Adirondack (gr. III) last time out.

 

The $500,000 Hill Prince (gr. IIIT) is expected to feature many of the top 3-year-old turf specialists, including a rematch of the top finishers from this summer's grade III Saranac at the Spa.

 

Saranac winner World Approval, who also won the American Derby (gr. IIIT) this summer at Arlington, is probable for trainer Mark Casse. Chad Brown is expected to send Saranac runner-up Money Multiplier while Lamplight winner Nonna's Boy, fourth in the Saranac, is likely for Pletcher. 

 

Courtier, winner of the Centaur Stakes at Indiana Grand Race Course Sept. 9, is expected for Bill Mott. Japanese-bred Tale of Life is probable for his second North American start for Motion and David Donk is expected to saddle Woodhaven winner Vision Perfect.

 

Del Mar Derby (gr. IIT) runner-up Royal Albert Hall (GB) is a possible West Coast invader for Doug O'Neill. Irish-bred Mister Brightside (IRE) is also possible for his U.S. debut for trainer Jeremy Noseda.