Combatant to Meet Strike Power in Better Talk Now

Two of the 10 sophomores entered in the one-mile Better Talk Now on the Saratoga Race Course turf Aug. 27 began their careers running against some of the best in their class on dirt.

Both Combatant, trained by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing, and Strike Power, trained my Mark Hennig for Donald and Donna Adam's Courtlandt Farms, started the year on the Kentucky Derby trail. And while only one made it into the gate of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), both horses held their own in good company.

As a 2-year-old, Combatant showed promise after breaking his maiden in his second start and then finished second to Greyvitos in the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park in December. The son of Scat Daddy returned Jan. 15 to again finish runner-up in the Smarty Jones Stakes and the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park, the latter behind My Boy Jack.

After finishing third and then fourth at the Arkansas track in both the Rebel Stakes (G2) and the Arkansas Derby (G1), he earned enough points to make it into the Louisville classic but finished 18th over the sloppy (sealed) track. He was seen next in the June 16 Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, where he finished a disappointing fifth.

In his most recent start, Combatant was switched to the grass and again finished fifth over a yielding course going 1 1/16 miles in the Aug. 3 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2T) at Saratoga.

The Better Talk Now will be the first start on turf for Strike Power, who finished fourth in the July 28 Amsterdam Stakes (G3) behind Saturday's H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) winner Promises Fulfilled.

Strike Power broke his maiden in his only start as a 2-year-old by eight lengths. That Dec. 23 maiden victory at Gulfstream Park was followed with a sophomore-season debut score in the Feb. 3 Swale Stakes (G3) at seven furlongs on the Florida track.

However, after finishing runner-up to none other than Promises Fulfilled and 2 1/4 lengths in front of 2-year-old champion Good Magic in the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), the son of Speightstown  was again sent into battle with Promises Fulfilled in the March 31 Xpressbet Florida Derby (G1). Setting a taxing pace, the pair fought for the lead and set fractions that left Strike Power to fade to eighth and Promises Fulfilled to finish behind him.

Strike Power was not seen again until the June 9 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (G2), where he again finished eighth in the seven-furlong contest.

The colt out of the Medaglia d'Oro  mare Gold d'Oro posted a bullet work on the turf at Saratoga Aug. 10, breezing four furlongs in :47.88 to be the fastest of 43 at the distance.

Others set to line up for the Better Talk Now include a pair of European Bill Mott trainees. Irish Territory, a son of Declaration of War  racing for Zayat Stables, comes into the race off a fifth in the June 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3T), which was won by Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) winner Catholic Boy.

The other is Juddmonte Farms' Westerland, who began his career in Europe. The son of Frankel finished third in his North American debut in the July 4 Manila Stakes at Belmont Park before finishing seventh in his most recent effort in the Racing Hall of Fame Stakes.