Weekend Stakes Rundown: Whitney Day at Saratoga

Each week BloodHorse.com looks forward to the weekend's biggest races. Consider this your weekly guide to the best stakes races in North America. This week a loaded card at Saratoga Race Course, featuring two grade 1 races, highlights the schedule. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern) and full previews can be found through the hyperlink for each race.

Saturday, Aug. 5

2:10 p.m.—$200,000 Waya Stakes (G3T) at Saratoga Race Course

Five fillies and mares who competed in the River Memories Stakes at Belmont Park in early July will return in the Waya, including the top three finishers. Allen Stable's Irish-bred Apple Betty, who won the River Memories by a half-length over Summersault, was making her second start at the distance since she missed a win by a nose in the Rood & Riddle Dowager Stakes (G3T) in October at Keeneland for her U.S. debut.

4:34 p.m.—$100,000 Lure Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

St. Elias Stable and West Point Thoroughbreds' Ring Weekend will return to the site of his track record-setting effort when he headlines the Lure. Ring Weekend set the Mellon turf record for 1 1/16 miles in last year's Bernard Baruch Handicap (G2T), where he completed the course in 1:38.29. The 6-year-old Tapit   gelding will return to stakes company for trainer Graham Motion after a runner-up finish in a June 15 allowance at Delaware Park.

Fasig-Tipton Lure S.

Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 05, 2017, Race 7

• STK
• 1 1/16m
• Turf
• $100,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 4:34 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Projected (GB)	Javier Castellano	117	Chad C. Brown	9/5
2	2Takeover Target (KY)	Joel Rosario	123	Chad C. Brown	8/1
3	3Zennor (KY)	Joe Bravo	119	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	15/1
4	4Our Way (FL)	Florent Geroux	121	H. James Bond	12/1
5	5Vorticity (KY)	Angel S. Arroyo	115	Cathal A. Lynch	30/1
6	6Aubenas (FR)	Luis Saez	119	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	15/1
7	7Blacktype (FR)	Rajiv Maragh	123	Christophe Clement	8/1
8	8Ring Weekend (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	123	H. Graham Motion	6/1
9	9Mohaymen (KY)	Junior Alvarado	123	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	3/1
10	10Fire Away (KY)	John R. Velazquez	115	Claude R. McGaughey III	15/1
11	11Camelot Kitten (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	123	Chad C. Brown	9/2
12	12Macagone (NY)	Kendrick Carmouche	121	William I. Mott	10/1
13	13Red Rifle (KY)	Rider TBA	115	Todd A. Pletcher	5/1

4:35 p.m.—$200,000 West Virginia Governor's Stakes at Mountaineer

Lady Sheila Stable's Matt King Coal nearly won the Charles Town Classic (G2), when he was just a neck behind winner Imperative April 22, and will return to Coal Country as the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes. Multiple graded winner Madefromlucky is another entered who has run well in West Virginia. The son of Lookin At Lucky  's last win was in the 2015 West Virginia Derby (G2).

West Virginia Governor's S.

Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, Saturday, August 05, 2017, Race 7

• STK
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 4:35 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1The Player (KY)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	119	William B. Bradley	8/1
2	2Bright Blue (TX)	Charle Oliveros	119	Gerardo Amezcua	50/1
3	3Fellowship (FL)	Robby Albarado	119	Kenneth Decker	15/1
4	4Matt King Coal (FL)	Jose Lezcano	126	Linda Rice	3/1
5	5Red Dragon Tattoo (KY)	Deshawn L. Parker	124	Juan Carlos Guerrero	10/1
6	6Fear the Cowboy (KY)	Jesus M. Rios	121	Efren Loza, Jr.	6/1
7	7Iron Fist (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	126	Steven M. Asmussen	7/2
8	8Madefromlucky (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	119	Todd A. Pletcher	4/1
9	9Page McKenney (PA)	Horacio Karamanos	121	Mary E. Eppler	9/2

5:10 p.m.—$500,000 Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course

Bob Baffert and Baoma Corporation enjoyed success shipping to Saratoga last year, when eventual champion Drefong blew away the competition in the Ketel One King's Bishop Stakes (G1). This summer the same connections will make a raiding trip for the Test with Faypien, a Ghostzapper   filly who will step to the top level in pursuit of her fourth straight win.

Longines Test S. (G1)

Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 05, 2017, Race 8

• 7f
• Dirt
• $500,000
• 3 yo Fillies
• 5:10 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Minnie Blip (KY)	Javier Castellano	116	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	15/1
2	2Your Love (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	116	Chad C. Brown	6/1
3	3Chalon (KY)	Paco Lopez	116	Peter Miller	5/1
4	4Tequilita (KY)	Luis Saez	120	Michael R. Matz	15/1
5	5Vertical Oak (KY)	Florent Geroux	118	Steven M. Asmussen	8/1
6	6Cursor (KY)	Junior Alvarado	116	Mark A. Hennig	30/1
7	7Divine Miss Grey (KY)	Manuel Franco	116	Danny Gargan	12/1
8	8Faypien (FL)	Rafael Bejarano	120	Bob Baffert	3/1
9	9Chanel's Legacy (IA)	Joel Rosario	116	Chad Summers	15/1
10	10American Gal (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	118	Simon Callaghan	5/2

5:21 p.m.—$750,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer

Calumet Farm's homebred Patch, the popular classic-placed colt from the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher, heads up the West Virginia Derby (G3) field. Though he has just one win from five starts, Patch brings good recent form off a third-place finish in the June 10 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1).

West Virginia Derby (G3)

Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort, Saturday, August 05, 2017, Race 8

• 1 1/8m
• Dirt
• $750,000
• 3 yo
• 5:21 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Game Over (KY)	Deshawn L. Parker	118	Jorge Navarro	12/1
2	2Phat Man (KY)	Ricardo Santana, Jr.	118	Joe Sharp	10/1
3	3Patch (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Todd A. Pletcher	7/2
4	4B Squared (CA)	Mario Gutierrez	118	Doug F. O'Neill	9/2
5	5Impressive Edge (KY)	Robby Albarado	118	Dale L. Romans	8/1
6	6Watch Me Whip (KY)	Jose Lezcano	118	Dale L. Romans	20/1
7	7Colonelsdarktemper (KY)	Jon Kenton Court	118	William H. Fires	8/1
8	8Lookin At Lee (KY)	Corey J. Lanerie	118	Steven M. Asmussen	3/1
9	9Silver Dust (KY)	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	118	Randy L. Morse	15/1
10	10Heartwood (KY)	Nik G. Goodwin	118	James K. Chapman	50/1
11	11McCormick (KY)	Julien R. Leparoux	118	Ian R. Wilkes	6/1

5:46 p.m.—$1.2 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course

After champion Arrogate suffered a stunning defeat in the July 22 TVG San Diego Handicap (G2), the eyes of the handicap division are even more intensely fixated on Gun Runner, the horse widely considered No. 2 in the rankings.

Whitney S. (G1)

Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, August 05, 2017, Race 9

• 1 1/8m
• Dirt
• $1,200,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 5:46 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1War Story (KY)	Javier Castellano	121	Jorge Navarro	6/1
2	2Breaking Lucky (ON)	Luis Contreras	117	Reade Baker	8/1
3	3Cautious Giant (KY)	Jose A. Bracho	117	Anthony T. Quartarolo	30/1
4	4Tu Brutus (CHI)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	117	Gary C. Contessa	8/1
5	5Keen Ice (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	121	Todd A. Pletcher	3/1
6	6Gun Runner (KY)	Florent Geroux	124	Steven M. Asmussen	4/5
7	7Discreet Lover (FL)	Manuel Franco	117	Uriah St. Lewis	25/1

7:30 p.m.—$200,000 Sorrento Stakes (G2) at Del Mar

The talented seven-filly field features just one homebred, Rick and Sharon Waller Spectator, who won her debut just as impressively as the rest, but did so without any pre-race hype. The likely favorites, however, have earned that distinction, most notably $1.7 million sale purchase Diamondsandpearls, who won her debut by 6 1/4 lengths.

Sorrento S. (G2)

Del Mar, Saturday, August 05, 2017, Race 6

• 6 1/2f
• Dirt
• $200,000
• 2 yo Fillies
• 4:33 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Surrender Now (KY)	Flavien Prat	123	Peter Miller	9/5
2	2Spectator (KY)	Jamie Theriot	120	Philip D'Amato	5/2
3	3Dancing Belle (KY)	Kent J. Desormeaux	118	J. Keith Desormeaux	12/1
4	4Terra's Angel (KY)	Sasha Risenhoover	118	Dallas E. Keen	20/1
5	5Spirit of Shanghai (KY)	Joseph Talamo	118	John Brocklebank	12/1
6	6Diamondsandpearls (KY)	Mike E. Smith	120	Bob Baffert	8/5
7	7Midnight Summer (KY)	Edwin A. Maldonado	118	Peter Miller	15/1

8:30 p.m.—$200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar

Ramona Bass' Avenge began her ascent to a top-level turf female on the West Coast during the summer meet at Del Mar in 2016 and the 5-year-old mare will return to the seaside turf course for the Yellow Ribbon. The daughter of War Front   found her stride in two-turn races with an optional-claiming allowance score at Del Mar in July 2016, then closed out the summer meet with her first graded score in the John C. Mabee Stakes (G2T).

Yellow Ribbon H. (G2T)

Del Mar, Saturday, August 05, 2017, Race 8

• 1 1/16m
• Turf
• $200,000
• 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
• 5:33 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Amboseli (KY)	Victor Espinoza	114	James M. Cassidy	15/1
98	2Kiss Me Now (BRZ)	SCRATCHED	0	UNKNOWN	-
2	3Frenzified (GB)	Santiago Gonzalez	116	James M. Cassidy	12/1
3	4Juno (BRZ)	Gary L. Stevens	116	Neil D. Drysdale	8/1
4	5Hillhouse High (KY)	Corey S. Nakatani	119	Richard Baltas	4/1
5	6Pretty Girl (ARG)	Mike E. Smith	118	Paulo H. Lobo	8/1
6	7Cambodia (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	119	Thomas F. Proctor	5/2
7	8Avenge (KY)	Flavien Prat	123	Richard E. Mandella	8/5

Sunday, Aug. 6

2:07 p.m.—$100,000 Alydar Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

A trio of older horses—Mohaymen, Red Rifle, and Mo Tom—looking to recapture their mojos will face off in the nine-furlong Alydar. Shadwell Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Mohaymen, who hasn't been the same since Nyquist   blew his doors off in the 2016 Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1), will try to break a seven-race losing streak.

Alydar S.

Saratoga Race Course, Sunday, August 06, 2017, Race 3

• STK
• 1 1/8m
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 2:07 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Mohaymen (KY)	Junior Alvarado	123	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	9/2
2	2Red Rifle (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	115	Todd A. Pletcher	4/1
3	3Mo Tom (KY)	Javier Castellano	123	Thomas M. Amoss	5/1
4	4Conquest Windycity (KY)	Luis Saez	117	Brendan P. Walsh	8/1
5	5Breaking Lucky (ON)	Luis Contreras	123	Reade Baker	7/2
6	6Rally Cry (KY)	John R. Velazquez	117	Todd A. Pletcher	8/5

2:17 p.m.—$100,000 Tangelo Stakes at Gulfstream Park

Freshened after competing in two legs of the Triple Crown, Gunnevera is scheduled to return to action. Gunnevera hasn't raced since he finished fifth in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course May 20. The son of Dialed In   previously finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Churchill Downs May 6.

Tangelo S.

Gulfstream Park, Sunday, August 06, 2017, Race 4

• STK
• 1 1/16m
• Dirt
• $100,000
• 3 yo
• 2:17 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Front Loaded (FL)	Miguel Angel Vasquez	118	Jose Pinchin	4/1
2	2Arrecife (PA)	Jose L. Alvarez	116	Aubrey A. Maragh	12/1
3	3Unbridled Holiday (FL)	C.J. McMahon	116	Patrick L. Biancone	12/1
4	4Manolete (FL)	Jesus M. Rios	116	Oscar M. Gonzalez	20/1
5	5Prince Tito (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	116	Gustavo Delgado	5/1
6	6Gunnevera (KY)	Edgard J. Zayas	122	Antonio Sano	2/5

4:57 p.m.—$60,000 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Earth, who won his debut by a neck at Gulfstream Park in June, will step up into stakes company as the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the about 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint. Other intriguing juveniles in the field are a pair from trainer Wesley Ward—debut winner Hemp Hemp Hurray and the only filly in the field, Zodacious.

Tyro S.

Monmouth Park, Sunday, August 06, 2017, Race 9

• STK
• About 5 1/2f
• Turf
• $60,000
• 2 yo
• 4:57 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Hemp Hemp Hurray (ON)	Albin Jimenez	118	Wesley A. Ward	9/5
4	1ANuclear Option (MD)	Albin Jimenez	116	Wesley A. Ward	9/5
2	2Zodacious (KY)	John Cruz	113	Wesley A. Ward	9/2
3	3Earth (KY)	Eddie Castro	118	Todd A. Pletcher	8/5
5	4Coop Tries Harder (FL)	Antonio A. Gallardo	118	Jane Cibelli	6/1
6	5Nickie's Papa (KY)	Hector Rafael Diaz, Jr.	116	Joan Scott	10/1
7	6Phonemyposseagain (NJ)	Jose C. Ferrer	118	Chuck Spina	5/1

6 p.m.—$250,000 Troy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

Pure Sensation, an impressive last-out winner of the Parx Dash Stakes (G3T), will face many of the same in the Troy. He defeated Mongolian Saturday by 5 3/4 lengths at Parx Racing last month, and has earned two of his eight wins over the Saratoga turf.

Troy H.

Saratoga Race Course, Sunday, August 06, 2017, Race 10

• STK
• 5 1/2f
• Turf
• $250,000
• 3 yo's & up
• 6:21 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Undrafted (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	117	Wesley A. Ward	10/1
2	2Long On Value (VA)	Joel Rosario	120	William I. Mott	5/1
3	3Pure Sensation (FL)	Kendrick Carmouche	121	Christophe Clement	9/5
4	4Green Mask (KY)	Javier Castellano	122	Brad H. Cox	8/5
5	5Doctor J Dub (NY)	Rider TBA	114	Jena M. Antonucci	4/1
6	6Holding Gold (FL)	John R. Velazquez	122	Mark E. Casse	9/2
7	7Weekend Hideaway (NY)	Luis Saez	114	Philip M. Serpe	2/1
8	8Bold Thunder (KY)	Paco Lopez	119	Patricia Farro	20/1
9	9Mongolian Saturday (KY)	Florent Geroux	119	Enebish Ganbat	15/1

7 p.m.—$100,000 Graduation Stakes at Del Mar

A wide open field for the California-bred juvenile race is headed, according to the morning line, by debut victor Smokem, a Union Rags   colt who closed from sixth July 21 at Del Mar to win a five-furlong race by 2 1/4 lengths. Three entrants, however, already have stakes experience. Sir Valentine (fifth) and Cono (sixth) both competed in the open-company Santa Anita Juvenile July 3, while Schulace came in second in the Everett Nevin Stakes for Cal-breds at Pleasanton July 8.

8:30 p.m.—$150,000 La Jolla Handicap (G3T) at Del Mar

Each entrant will seek their first graded win in the La Jolla, the prep race for the Sept. 3 Del Mar Derby (G2T). Sharp Samurai and Caribou Club are the only stakes winners in the field. Sharp Samurai won the Rainbow Stakes last time out June 10 at Santa Anita Park, while Caribou Club took the Laurel Futurity at Laurel Park in September of 2016.

La Jolla H. (G3T)

Del Mar, Sunday, August 06, 2017, Race 8

• 1 1/16m
• Turf
• $150,000
• 3 yo
• 5:33 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Fashion Business (GB)	Joseph Talamo	116	Philip D'Amato	8/1
2	2Colonist (KY)	Flavien Prat	118	Jerry Hollendorfer	7/2
3	3Placido (ON)	Rafael Bejarano	115	Simon Callaghan	6/1
4	4Pioneer Lad (KY)	Tyler Baze	119	Richard Baltas	6/1
5	5Offshore (KY)	Evin A. Roman	115	Neil D. Drysdale	20/1
6	6Caribou Club (FL)	Drayden Van Dyke	119	Thomas F. Proctor	12/1
7	7Sharp Samurai (KY)	Gary L. Stevens	122	Mark Glatt	5/2
8	8Double Touch (GB)	Kent J. Desormeaux	118	Dan Blacker	8/1
9	9Monster Man (KY)	Santiago Gonzalez	118	Scott Hansen	9/2