Contessa Likes Whatsthescript

Trainer Gary Contessa has had some interesting horses in his barn throughout his career, and one of his new favorites in Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ Whatsthescript, who will be making his Saratoga debut in the Grade 2 Fourstardave on Sunday, August 1.

Third in the Battlefield Stakes at Monmouth in his first start for Contessa, the Irish-bred 6-year-old son of Royal Applause has earned nearly $1 million in his career, mostly in California. Eighth in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in his final start of 2009, the multiple stakes winner was subsequently sent to stud, where he was bred to 30 mares, and returned to the racetrack this spring.

“The owners wanted him to race on dirt and sent him to the East coast,” said Contessa. “I know it is a difficult task to return a horse to racing after he’s stood at stud, but he’s been 100 percent racehorse since I got him. He’s the consummate professional and he’s quickly become one of my favorite horses.”

Contessa personally accompanies Whatsthescript to the track in the mornings to train, a journey which can take up to an hour, round-trip.

“He stops and eats grass every other step,” said Contessa. “But with his career, I think he’s earned it.”

Contessa plans to send Grand Rapport, a recent allowance winner at Monmouth Park, to the Grade 3 Hall of Fame on August 13, while fellow sophomore Eightyfiveinafifty has been forced to bypass the Saratoga meeting.

“[Eightyfiveinafifty] had a bad case of pneumonia and has been in the hospital,” said Contessa. “I hope to have him back by the winter.”