Pletcher Saddles Pair in Curlin

The field entered for Friday's $100,000 Curlin Stakes at Saratoga Race Course is comprised by a group of 3-year-olds each looking to forge a path to mid-summer glory. One year ago, V.E. Day successfully went the same route taking the Curlin before going on to pull off an upset victory in the Grade 1 Travers.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will saddle two contenders in Stanford for owners Stonestreet Stables, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith; and Tommy Macho for Paul Pompa, Jr. and All American Horses, LLC. Stanford, purchased for $550,000 at the Barretts Equine Limited March 2014 Sale of selected 2-year-olds in training, began his racing career by breaking his maiden at Monmouth Park before entering the Grade 2 Saratoga Special, where he bobbled at the start and encountered a difficult trip to finish sixth.

He returned for his 3-year-old season at Gulfstream Park to win an optional claimer before three consecutive second-place finishes in the Islamorada Handicap at Gulfstream, the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds, and the Easy Goer at Belmont Park. In his most recent race, the Long Branch Stakes July 11 at Monmouth Park he rallied from three wide to win by 1 ¼ lengths.

Drawing post position 2, Stanford will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Tommy Macho, a son of Macho Uno with two victories from four lifetime starts, enters off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Dwyer on July 4, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 95.  

With Javier Castellano, Tommy Macho will depart from post 7.

Team Valor International will enter Unrivaled from the barn of Marya Montoya. Claimed for $30,000 in October of 2014 at Keeneland Race course, the son of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver has two wins from nine starts. Last out, he failed to menace racing outside for most of the way at Parx after losing the Parx Derby by less than a length.

Making a return to dirt for the first time since April and looking to move forward will be King of New York for trainer Ken McPeek and owner Harold Lerner. Breaking his maiden in his eighth career start on March 14 at Oaklawn Park, the Street Boss colt lost by a neck in an optional claimer at Oaklawn before trying the turf for three consecutive races where he picked up one win.  Last out, he finished fourth in the Grade 3 American Derby on July 11 at Arlington Park.

Rounding out the field is Battle Midway for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito and owner Mossarosa; Tekton for Shortleaf Stable and trainer Anthony Dutrow, and Smart Transition for trainer John Sheriffs.

Source: NYRA Communications