Morning Report: Stewart, Clement, Serpe talk stakes races
Horse Racing Nation's Andrew Capone will be hitting the backside all summer to talk to connections at Saratoga.
In Friday's report, he talks to trainer Dallas Stewart, assistant trainer Miguel Clement and trainer Phil Serpe.
Stewart discusses Chess Chief's chances in Saturday's Grade 1 $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, a race in which the son of Into Mischief finished fifth last year behind winner Max Player.
He notes that Chess Chief is coming into this year's race in better form off a decent third behind subsequent West Virginia Derby (G3) winner Art Collector in the Alydar Stakes earlier in the Saratoga meet.
Stewart also says that 2-year-old filly Sabra Tuff, who will contest Sunday's Spinaway (G1), should appreciate the added distance as she tackles seven furlongs for the first time.
Clement, assistant trainer to his father, Christophe, talks about Voodoo Zip, who cuts back in distance in Friday's $150,000 Lucky Coin Stakes, and Gufo, winner of last weekend's Sword Dancer (G1) at Saratoga.
Gufo exited the race so well that he may run next weekend in the $1 million Kentucky Downs Turf Cup (G3) just two weeks after his Sword Dancer victory.
Serpe, who will saddle Spinaway entrant Leave No Trace, says the daughter of Outwork also should appreciate the stretch-out to seven furlongs and may try the turf in the future.
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