Sadler's Joy Could Strike in Bowling Green

After a pair of close runner-up finishes in grade 1 turf races, the connections of Sadler's Joy hope a return to the course of his best win gets him over the hump.

Sadler's Joy is one of nine older horses entered in the $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) July 28 on the inner course at Saratoga Race Course. Last year, the son of Kitten's Joy  finished third in the Bowling Green before he passed six horses in the stretch of the 1 1/2-mile Sword Dancer Stakes (G1T), also on the Saratoga inner course.

ANGST: Sadler's Joy Rallies to Sword Dancer Victory

Owned by Woodslane Farm, Sadler's Joy is working on another strong season this year. After he opened 2018 with a win in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) on the Gulfstream Park turf in March, he followed with a fourth in the Pan American Stakes (G2T) there before his runner-up finishes in the Man o' War Stakes (G1T) and Woodford Reserve Manhattan Stakes (G1T) on the inner turf at Belmont Park. In the latter, he finished just a neck behind upset winner Spring Quality despite a rough start.

WINCZE HUGHES: Sadler's Joy Worth the Wait in Mac Diarmida Win

Jockey Javier Castellano will return to ride Sadler's Joy after the close Manhattan finish. The multiple Eclipse Award winner said the 5-year-old ran well in the Manhattan but came up just short.

"In those kinds of races, you've got to be lucky and get the bob," Castellano said after the 1 1/4-mile test.

Trainer Tom Albertrani was impressed with the chestnut's Manhattan effort and thinks the added furlong in the Bowling Green could be beneficial. 

"I thought he ran really well in his last start, especially since we cut back to a mile and a quarter. I know he would prefer if it was a little farther, but he ran a huge race there," Albertraini said. "He's trained forwardly since then. (This) is his preferred distance. As well as he ran last time, we feel pretty confident. He always tries. He's very honest and very consistent."

Sadler's Joy is one of four horses in the Bowling Green entered off a grade 1 race where they earned a placing. 

Al Ahahania Stud America's Money Multiplier enters off a runner-up finish in the June 30 United Nations Stakes (G1T) at Monmouth Park. The Chad Brown trainee finished second to Sadler's Joy in last year's Sword Dancer.

The third-place finisher from the United Nations also has made the trip to the Spa—Three Diamonds Farm's Bigger Picture, who is trained by Mike Maker. Last year, the son of Badge of Silver finished second in the Bowling Green and third in the Sword Dancer.

La Providencia's Hi Happy enters off a close third in the Manhattan after he secured his first Northern Hemisphere grade 1 score in the Man o' War.

CROSBY: Hi Happy Breaks Through in Man o' War Stakes

"He's just been a model of consistency," said Hi Happy's trainer, Todd Pletcher. "He seems adaptable to multiple pace scenarios and multiple distances. He's easy to train—very straightforward and professional."

There isn't much separation in the remainder of the expected field. Manitoulin and Channel Maker each finished within 1 1/2 lengths of the winner in the Manhattan, and Highland Sky and Glorious Empire enter off optional-claiming allowance wins. Rounding out the field is Sarrasin, a stakes winner in Europe.

Entries: Bowling Green S. (G2T)

Saratoga Race Course, Saturday, July 28, 2018, Race 9

• Grade II
• 1 3/8m
• Inner turf
• $250,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 5:40 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Highland Sky (KY)	Manuel Franco	116	Barclay Tagg	12/1
2	2Channel Maker (ON)	Joel Rosario	122	William I. Mott	10/1
3	3Bigger Picture (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	124	Michael J. Maker	8/1
4	4Sarrasin (GB)	Dylan Davis	116	Richard Freedman	30/1
5	5Glorious Empire (IRE)	Julien R. Leparoux	116	James L. Lawrence, II	20/1
6	6Sadler's Joy (KY)	Javier Castellano	124	Thomas Albertrani	7/2
7	7Hi Happy (ARG)	John R. Velazquez	124	Todd A. Pletcher	5/2
8	8Money Multiplier (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	124	Chad C. Brown	2/1
9	9Manitoulin (KY)	Junior Alvarado	122	James J. Toner	10/1