Saratoga 2016: Graded Stakes Preview

With Songbird and Nyquist as headliners at the 2016 Saratoga meeting, there will be 35 graded stakes races - 15 grade ones, 14 grade twos, and 6 grade threes. This elite summer meeting, which begins in three weeks, kicks off racing in the second half of the year, as the best horses vie for end of the year divisional honors. Accordingly, this preview will present all of the Saratoga graded stakes races organized by division.

The Two-Year-Olds

For so many years, Saratoga has been synonymous with two-year-old racing. The Spa is the place where historically the most influential breeders want their most talented juveniles to make their debut and, if lucky enough, win a stakes race. Great horses like Secretariat, Affirmed, and Ruffian did so.

(The 2015 winner of each race is noted parenthetically)

BC - denotes a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” qualifier

3YO – restricted to three-year-olds

Fillies

July 22 - Schuylerville [G3] – 6F (Off the Tracks)

August 13 – Adirondack [G2] – 6.5F (Just Wicked)

September 3 – Spinaway [G1] BC – 7F (Rachel’s Valentina)

Colts and Geldings

July 23 – Sanford [G3] – 6F (Uncle Vinny)

August 14 – Saratoga Special [G2] – 6.5F (Exaggerator)

September 5 – Hopeful [G1] – 7F (Ralis)

The Three-Year-Olds

The top sophomores in both the female and male divisions are expected to compete at Saratoga. You name them and they are planning to race at the signature NYRA meeting. The stakes for fillies will feature the unbeaten Songbird along with Carina Mia, Cathryn Sophia, Go Maggie Go, and Rachel’s Valentina. On the male side, all three Triple Crown race winners are preparing for the Spa.

Fillies

July 24 – Coaching Club American Oaks [G1] – 9F (Curalina)

August 20 – Alabama [G1] – 10F – (Embellish the Lace)

Colts and Geldings

July 30 – Jim Dandy [G2] – 9F (Texas Red)

August 27 – Travers [G1] – 10F (Keen Ice)

The Sprinters

For both the girls and boys, the Sprint divisions are wide open. The Saratoga meeting provides plenty of opportunities for horses to step up and make their name in races restricted to three-year-olds and also in those that are open to older runners.

Fillies and Mares

July 27 – Honorable Miss [G2] – 6F (La Verdad)

August 6 – Test [G1] – 7F (Cavorting) – 3YO

August 27 – Ballerina [G1] BC – 7F (Unbridled Forever)

September 4 – Prioress [G2] – 6F (Cavorting) – 3YO

Colts and Geldings

July 30 – Amsterdam [G2] – 6F (Holy Boss) – 3YO

July 30 – Vanderbilt [G1] – 6F (Rock Fall)

August 27 – King’s Bishop [G1] – 7F (Runhappy) – 3YO

August 27 – Forego [G1] BC - 7F (Private Zone)

Older Horses

It is very unlikely that we will see the two leaders of these divisions, in California Chrome and Beholder, come east from their California bases. Still, there will be plenty of older talent on display as they prep for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Classic, and Dirt Mile.

Fillies and Mares

July 31 – Shuvee [G3] – 9F (Stopchargingmaria)

August 27 – Personal Ensign [G1] BC – 9F (Sheer Drama)

Colts and Geldings

August 6 – Whitney [G1] BC – 9F (Honor Code)

September 3 – Woodward [G1] BC – 9F (Liam’s Map)

Turf

The quality of Turf racing in America has been getting better and better in recent years. Tepin and Flintshire, two of the world’s top grass stars, expected to be stabled at Saratoga this summer. The unbeaten filly Catch A Glimpse will join them and we can also hope for the return of Lady Eli.

Fillies and Mares

July 22 - Lake George [G2] – 8.5F (Mrs McDougal) – 3YO

July 23 – Diana [G1] – 9F (Hard Not to Like)

August 6 – Waya [G2] – 12F – (Goldy Espony)

August 12 – Lake Placid [G2] – 9F (Sentiero Italia) – 3YO

August 27 – Ballston Spa [G2] – 8.5F (Dacita)

September 3 – Glens Falls [G3] – 11F (White Rose)

Colts and Geldings

July 30 – Bowling Green [G2] – 11F (Red Rifle)

August 5 – Hall of Fame [G3] – 8.5F (Takeover Target) – 3YO

August 13 – Fourstardave [G2] – 8F (Grand Arch)

August 27 – Sword Dancer [G1] BC – 12F (Flintshire)

September 3 – Saranac [G3] – 9F (World Approval) – 3YO

September 5 – Bernard Baruch [G2] – 8.5F (Ironicus)

Whether in victory or defeat five of the 2015 Eclipse Award winners ran at Saratoga – American Pharoah, Honor Code, Tepin, Runhappy, and La Verdad. How many champions will we get to see run at the Spa this summer?