Ron the Greek Heading to the Spa

Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) winner Ron the Greek will point for a likely start in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) or Woodward Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course this summer, co-owner Adam Wachtel said June 19.

The 5-year-old son of Full Mandate, trained by Hall of Fame horseman Bill Mott, beat Wise Dan by a head in the June 16 Foster at Churchill Downs for Wachtel and partners Nils Brous and Jack Hammer. Hammer also bred Ron the Greek in Florida out of the Fortunate Prospect mare Flambe'.

The Foster, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” event, gave Ron the Greek an automatic berth in the starting gate for the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) Nov. 3 at Santa Anita Park. His owners plan on using the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont Park later this fall as a final stepping stone to that race.