First Look: 6 graded stakes are on tap as Saratoga opens

Saratoga opens Thursday with five graded stakes in four days, including the Grade 1 Diana, where Bleecker Street will look for her eighth win against no losses.

But this week's graded-stakes calendar gets off to an even earlier start, with a contest at Parx on Tuesday.

Here is an early look at the likely fields.

Tuesday

Dr. James Penny Memorial (G3), Parx, 1 1/16 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Love in the Air makes her first graded-stakes start after finishing in the money in eight of nine starts. Flashndynamite also moves into graded company after a 6 1/2-length win in a Parx allowance optional claiming race. Princes Grace, winner of last year’s edition of this race, came off a seven-month layoff to finish seventh in the Eatontown (G3) last out.

Thursday

Schuylerville (G3), Saratoga, 6 furlongs, 2-year-old fillies

Mark Casse brings Adora and Me and My Shadow, who won by open lengths in their debuts at Woodbine. He also entered Janis Joplin, who gained ground to finish third in her Churchill Downs debut last out. Just Cindy is a Justify filly who won her first start by 2 1/4 lengths at Churchill, and Summer Promise won by five lengths for D. Wayne Lukas in her only start.

Friday

Forbidden Apple (G3), Saratoga, 1 mile (turf), 4-year-olds and up

Set Piece’s win in the Dinner Party (G3) last out was his first score in four starts since winning last year’s Wise Dan (G2). Wolfie’s Dynaghost is looking for his first graded-stakes win after losing a duel to Masen in the Poker (G3) last out. Analyze It makes his second start of the year after finishing third in a listed stakes at Monmouth Park in May. Get Smokin led the Arlington (G3) from the start until getting caught by a head at the wire. Art Collector – 12th in the Saudi Cup (G1) in his only start this year –has been working on turf but is entered as main track only.

Saturday

Diana (G1), Saratoga, 1 1/8 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

Undefeated Bleecker Street could go 8-for-8 with a win here. Before finishing fifth behind Bleecker Street in the New York (G1), Rougir won the Beaugay (G3) in her second U.S. start. Technical Analysis, winner of the Gallorette (G3) last out, was beaten half a length in the Plenty of Grace at Aqueduct in her first start after a six-month break. Ocean Road is 2-for-2 this year after making her first U.S. start last year in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, where she finished sixth.

Sanford (G3), 6 furlongs, 2-year-olds

Curly Jack and Andiamo a Firenze led at every call in winning their debuts, both by four lengths. Valenzan Day was bumped at the start of the listed Tremont Stakes but rallied to finish third. This would be the fifth start for Roman Giant, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last out.

Sunday

Quick Call (G3), Saratoga, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf), 3-year-olds

Slipstream would return from a 17th-place finish in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Royal Ascot. He returned from a break to win the listed Palisades Stakes at Keeneland in April. Carpe’s Dream is looking for his first win after two losses since he broke his maiden in December. Asymmetric made his U.S. debut and his first start of the year in the listed Palisades Creek at Belmont, where he was caught at the 16th pole to finish second.