Ring Weekend earns shot at repeat in Bernard Baruch

Ring Weekend's record-setting run in last year's Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch earned the son of Tapit another chance in this year's edition, trainer Graham Motion said from his barn Friday morning.

Last year, Ring Weekend outlasted Jay Gatsby by a neck, completing 1 1/16 miles on Saratoga's Mellon turf course in 1:38.29, which remains the track record for the distance. The 6-year-old enters Monday's race looking to win for the first time in seven starts, dating to the 2016 Grade 2 Seabiscuit Handicap.

After a poor start last out in the Lure, Ring Weekend rallied from 10th at the half-mile mark to finish fifth, just two lengths behind the winner, Zennor.

"It was definitely part of my thinking, knowing how well he ran here last year," Motion said. "I think with last time; he tends to break a step slow in his races, and that's really hurt him because he's putting himself at a disadvantage. It's really important he breaks well and gets in the races a little earlier and doesn't leave himself so much to do."

Ring Weekend drew post 4 in the nine-horse field with jockey Jose Ortiz, currently the meet's leading rider, aboard.

Fresh off an impressive debut win on August 5 at Delaware Park, Maya Malibu will make her stakes debut in the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway for juvenile fillies on Saturday.

A daughter of Malibu Moon, Maya Malibu stalked the six-horse field before gaining the lead into the stretch and clearing away by six lengths in a six-furlong sprint. She will now be stretched out to the Spinaway distance of seven furlongs, breaking from the outside in challenging a talented field encompassing Separationofpowers, Obvious Two, Lady Ivanka and Pure Silver.

"I could have brought her up here for a maiden race, but I'm always reluctant to do that with babies, I think it's a lot to ask of them," Motion said of running at Delaware Park. "I would have been disappointed if she didn't win the way she's trained. Obviously, this is a big step up, but you have to find out. It was either [running] here or Monmouth. I like the idea of seven-eighths, although this is a really competitive race.

"She's a filly I liked since day one," he added. "She's done everything very easily and has a touch of class about her. It's a really good family and I thought the distance should help."

Saturday's card will also feature two Motion-trained entries in the Grade 3, $200,000 Glens Falls. Lottie has finished on the board in her last four starts, parlaying strong efforts in allowance races into stakes competition, finishing third in the River Memories on July 9 at Belmont Park and adding a second-place effort in the Grade 3 Fasig-Tipton Waya, just a half-length behind Estrechada.

Happyness will look to win her first stakes race after running second in the Flaming Page on August 11 at Woodbine, hitting the wire just a head behind Involuntary. The English bred 5-year-old won her first two races since shipping from France, defeating allowance company on April 9 at Aqueduct Racetrack before winning an optional claimer on May 16 at Belmont.

Happyness drew the rail with Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons and Lottie will break from post 2 with jockey Joel Rosario aboard.

"If Lottie can run back to that race [Waya], it puts her in the mix, for sure," Motion said. "Happyness, coming off a good race at Woodbine, hopefully got back on track. They'll both need to duplicate their last races to be competitive."

Miss Ella is doing well after two good races at Saratoga, Motion said. The Exchange Rate mare won the Caress on July 24 and ran second to Ginger N Rye in the Smart N Fancy on August 27.

"She came out of it really good. She looks super, actually," Motion said. "We're not quite sure where we'll head next with her. She liked running at Keeneland, so that might be a possibility."

Tickled Pink is targeting the $100,000 Christiecat on Opening Day of the Belmont fall meet September 8, Motion said. The 3-year-old Shackleford filly breezed Friday at Fair Hill, going five furlongs in 1:02.60. Tickled Pink won her last start on July 29 at Laurel Park and is on point for her first stakes start since running third in the Caesar's Wish on March 18.