High-Priced Sweet Loretta in Schuylerville

Sweet Loretta, a high-profile weanling purchase and daughter of leading sire Tapit  , headlines the $150,000 Schuylerville Stakes (gr. III) on opening day of the 148th Saratoga Race Course meet opens July 22.

Vince and Theresa Viola's St. Elias Stable own Sweet Loretta, who was purchased for $750,000 out of the 2014 Keeneland November breeding stock sale by agent J.J. Crupi. The filly was bred by the partnership of Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stable and consigned by Ashview. Sweet Loretta's full brother just sold for $450,000 through the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale, making him the second-highest-priced purchase at the sale.

Each of the nine fillies entered in the Schuylerville are already winners. Sweet Loretta won at first asking, taking a five-furlong maiden special weight by seven lengths June 18 at Monmouth Park. She is trained by Todd Pletcher and will break from post 4 under John Velazquez.

The most impressive of Sweet Loretta's opponents is the Canadian-bred Made Me Shiver (Maclean's Music). The Steve Asmussen-trained filly, raced by her breeder Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings along with Joel Quenneville, who also won in her first start by 5 3/4 lengths at Churchill Downs June 17. Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride the filly, who sold for $150,000 through the Fasig-Tipton November sale.

Two of the fillies have tasted defeat: Lightning Dove (Uncle Mo  ) and Harlands Thunder (Harlan's Holiday), fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park June 9 after winning their debuts. Lightning Dove, a Windmill Manor Farm homebred, broke her maiden April 28 at Keeneland for trainer Wesley Ward, while Lakland Farm's Harlands Thunder won her debut May 5 at Churchill Downs for trainer Bill Mott.

Olive Branch (Speightstown  ), Platinum Spark (Hansen), and Summer Sally (Ghostzapper  ) won at Belmont Park, Inspired Flight (Orientate  ) was victorious at Laurel Park, and Fun (Harlan's Holiday) came out on top in her Churchill Downs debut. The most impressive was possibly Olive Branch, a two-length winner over five furlongs June 21.