First Look: Whitney, Test lead graded-stakes calendar

It will be another big weekend at Saratoga as Cody’s Wish looks to extend his unbeaten streak in the Grade 1 Whitney and 3-year-fillies face off in a competitive Test (G1).

The Whitney offers an automatic berth in the Breeder’s Cup Classic. Also on Saturday, the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) at Del Mar is a win-and-you’re in for the Breeder’ Cup Distaff.

Here’s an early look at the likely fields.

Thursday

Glens Falls (G2), Saratoga, 1 1/2 miles (turf), fillies and mares, 4-year-olds and up

War Like Goddess goes for the three-peat here. She started the year with a win in the Bewitch (G3) then was sixth in the New York (G1). Virginia Joy was fifth in the New York and is 0-for-4 since winning the Flower Bowl (G2) in September. Sopran Basilea raced in Italy for two years before coming to Graham Motion, and she was second in the Gallorette (G3) before winning the Robert G. Dick (G3) last out.

Friday

National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2), Saratoga, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-old males

Nagirroc has finished in the money in each of his eight career starts, most recently finishing third in the Manila Stakes (G3). General Jim won the Swale (G3) and Pat Day Mile (G2) before finishing sixth in the Woody Stephens (G1). Mischievous Angel makes only his second start after winning on debut June 17.

Saratoga Oaks (G3), Saratoga, 1 3/16 miles (turf), 3-year-old fillies

Caroline Street makes her first U.S. start after a 6: 2-1-0 record in Ireland and France. Xigera has won both her starts this year, including the black-type Tepin last out. Aspen Grove won the Belmont Oaks (G1) in her U.S. debut after starting her career in Ireland. Selenaia has won three straight, most recently the Honeymoon (G3).

Saturday

Whitney (G1), Saratoga, 1 1/8 miles, 4-year-olds and up, automatic qualifier, Breeders’ Cup Classic

The big question here is whether Cody’s Wish can win his seventh race in a row and do it at a longer distance than he has won at before. In the Met Mile (G1), he beat Zandon by 3 1/4 lengths with Charge It in fourth, and both of those rivals are expected here. Word came Monday that White Abarrio also will start here. Dale Romans was considering entering Giant Game, and D. Wayne Lukas was considering Last Samurai. Brad Cox decided against entering West Will Power, and Smile Happy is out with a hoof bruise.

Pretty Mischievous, winner of the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Acorn (G1) her last two starts, would cut back in distance here. Dorth Vader also would go shorter after finishing second by a head in the Acorn. Munny’s Gold had her first start at more than a mile in the Acorn and finished fourth. And undefeated in five starts, all at 6 1/2 furlongs or less, Maple Leaf Mel would stretch out here.

Saratoga Derby (G1), Saratoga, 1 3/16 miles (turf), 3-year-olds

Far Bridge won his first career start in January and had two runner-up efforts in graded stakes before winning the Belmont Derby (G1) last out over two others expected here. One of those is Webslinger, third in the Belmont Derby and winner of the American Turf (G2) two starts back with Far Bridge a half-length back in second. Battle of Normandy is 0-for-2 this year, with second-place finishes in two allowance races.

Troy (G3), Saratoga, 5 1/2 furlongs (turf), 4-year-olds and up

Caravel takes on the boys again as she looks to extend her winning streak to six. Nobals has won two stakes in a row, including the Twin Spires Turf (G2) on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Cogburn also has won his last two, both in black-type stakes at Lone Star.

Clement L. Hirsch (G1), Del Mar, 1 1/16 miles, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, automatic qualifier, Breeder’ Cup Distaff

Yuki makes his second U.S. start after racing last year in Chile. She was third in an optional-claiming allowance at Gulfstream on July 1. The 1-2-3 finishers in the Santa Margarita are possible here in Adare Manor, Kirstenbosch and Desert Dawn. Window Shopping is coming off wins in the Summertime Oaks (G2) and the Santa Anita Oaks (G2).

Sunday

Adirondack (G2), Saratoga, 6 1/2 furlongs, 2-year-old fillies

Saratoga Secret was runner-up in the Schuylerville (G2) after winning her debut in June. Brightwork is 2-for-2, and Copper Em won her debut by 4 1/4 lengths last out. Here U Come Again, Magic Cross and Streaming Now also are 1-for-1.

Pucker Up (G3), Ellis Park, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year-old fillies

Frontal Attack broke her maiden at Ellis Park on her second try June 23 at 1 1/16 miles. In her second start since finishing 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, Bling won a one-mile Ellis Park allowance. Lily Poo finished third in her last two starts, the Indianapolis Oaks (G3) and the Summertime Oaks (G3).

Probables were not available for the La Jolla Handicap (G3) at Del Mar on Saturday or for the West Virginia Derby (G3) or the West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3) at Mountaineer on Sunday.