Fourstardave Draws Salty Field

By Will Robbins

Grand Arch seeks to defend his 2015 title in the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IT) Aug. 13 at Saratoga Race Course.

A capable cast of turf milers, including Ring Weekend, Takeover Target, and Tourist look to spoil the Saratoga specialist's repeat bid.

A third-place finish in the 2015 Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) capped Grand Arch's 6-year-old campaign, in which he added a grade I win to his repertoire—the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland Race Course. In his 2016 debut, Jim and Susan Hill's veteran gelding placed third in the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT) on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course.

The Brian Lynch trainee was last seen June 18, when he finished sixth, beaten 10 lengths, in the Poker Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Belmont Park. His declining form is certainly a concern, but Grand Arch is best-suited over the Spa's inner turf course.

"We lost a bit of time with him with the rain we had," Lynch said. "He went a nice three-quarters on the dirt, got the work into him that we needed, and his energy level is very good. We're like a heavyweight fighter defending his title. You've got to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the Fourstardave."

West Point Thoroughbred Partners' Frank E. Kilroe (gr. IT) winner Ring Weekend made an emphatic return to racing off a 14-month layoff because of a severe foot abscess May 21 at Pimlico, where he finished second in the Dixie. Despite a wide trip, he ran a half-length ahead of Grand Arch.

Ring Weekend breezed six furlongs Aug. 6 in 1:14 3/5 over the Tapeta at Fair Hill Training Center in company with grade III winner Messi. 

"He worked three-quarters with Messi and I was very happy with him," trainer Graham Motion said.   

Klaravich Stables' Dixie winner Takeover Target looms large from post 4. Manny Franco takes the reins for red-hot Chad Brown, who has dominated the stakes ranks during the past three weeks at Saratoga. Brown has never won the Fourstardave, but finished second with Corporate Jungle in 2012, behind six-time Eclipse Award winner Wise Dan. 

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott will send out Tourist for WinStar Farm. Mott has won the Fourstardave three times, most recently with Seek Again   in 2014. He was last seen at Santa Anita Park June 4, when he finished second in the Shoemaker Mile (gr. IT).

David Donk's 7-year-old gelding King Kreesa is coming off a victory in the one-mile Forbidden Apple Stakes at Belmont. This is the 2013 runner-up's third start in the Fourstardave. He ran fourth in 2015. 

"He's doing quite well," Donk said. "It was a big race for him in the Forbidden Apple."

The 34th running of the one-mile Fourstardave will be contested as a grade I for the first time this year. Stormy weather looms in what figures to be a soggy week at the Spa.