Stakes-Placed Decked Out Tops Adirondack
{{monthName}} {{day}}, {{year}} {{hour12}}:{{minuteTwoDigit}}{{dayPeriod}}
Photo:
NYRA
The second round of Saratoga Race Course's celebrated juvenile stakes series will get underway this weekend, kicking off with the filly division's Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack at 6 ½ furlongs on Saturday, featuring graded stakes-placed Decked Out and a slew of talented maiden winners, including Just Wicked and Tonasah.
Decked Out won at first asking in her May debut at Santa Anita Park for trainerKeith Desormeaux and owners Big Chief Thoroughbreds and Gene Voss before joining the trainer's New York string in late spring. In her next out, the daughter of Street Boss joined the stakes ranks with a second-place finish in the Astoria at Belmont Park on June 4.
The only Adirondack runner with prior stakes experience, Decked Out stalked a brisk pace in the Grade 3 Schuylerville on opening day, July 24, at the Spa, but flattened out in the lane to finish a well-beaten third, an effort that earned a personal-low Beyer Speed Figure of 63.
"Her numbers have regressed a little bit, which we weren't really happy with," said Desormeaux's assistant Julie Clark. "We like her. She's an aggressive filly in the mornings and I thought she was a little more fit for the last one than she was. She got a little tired, so we've tried to correct that for this one. We're really hoping to see a turnaround this time."
Slated to ride is Junior Alvarado, who was aboard for her most recent breeze, a four-furlong maintenance move in 49.49 seconds on August 8.
"Junior rode her and he was really happy with her," Clark said. "We didn't want a blazing time but she did it really in hand. Normally, she kind of has a stretched out look about her but she kind of went easy last time. He was really thrilled with how she went."
Alvarado and Decked Out will break from post 4.
Leading trainer Todd Pletcher will send out a pair of fillies for their stakes unveilings in Tonasah and Delicate Lady. A $250,000 yearling purchase last fall, StarLadies Racing's Tonasah turned in an eye-catching maiden victory on July 2 at Belmont Park, wiring a field of first-timers and gearing down under the wire to win by 5 ½ lengths under a confident Javier Castellano.
"She's pretty straight forward," said Pletcher. "I think she's fast, very speed-oriented. We'll let her do what she likes to do."
Decked Out won at first asking in her May debut at Santa Anita Park for trainerKeith Desormeaux and owners Big Chief Thoroughbreds and Gene Voss before joining the trainer's New York string in late spring. In her next out, the daughter of Street Boss joined the stakes ranks with a second-place finish in the Astoria at Belmont Park on June 4.
The only Adirondack runner with prior stakes experience, Decked Out stalked a brisk pace in the Grade 3 Schuylerville on opening day, July 24, at the Spa, but flattened out in the lane to finish a well-beaten third, an effort that earned a personal-low Beyer Speed Figure of 63.
"Her numbers have regressed a little bit, which we weren't really happy with," said Desormeaux's assistant Julie Clark. "We like her. She's an aggressive filly in the mornings and I thought she was a little more fit for the last one than she was. She got a little tired, so we've tried to correct that for this one. We're really hoping to see a turnaround this time."
Slated to ride is Junior Alvarado, who was aboard for her most recent breeze, a four-furlong maintenance move in 49.49 seconds on August 8.
"Junior rode her and he was really happy with her," Clark said. "We didn't want a blazing time but she did it really in hand. Normally, she kind of has a stretched out look about her but she kind of went easy last time. He was really thrilled with how she went."
Alvarado and Decked Out will break from post 4.
Leading trainer Todd Pletcher will send out a pair of fillies for their stakes unveilings in Tonasah and Delicate Lady. A $250,000 yearling purchase last fall, StarLadies Racing's Tonasah turned in an eye-catching maiden victory on July 2 at Belmont Park, wiring a field of first-timers and gearing down under the wire to win by 5 ½ lengths under a confident Javier Castellano.
"She's pretty straight forward," said Pletcher. "I think she's fast, very speed-oriented. We'll let her do what she likes to do."
Castellano has the return call aboard the Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Malibu Moon. The pair will leave from post 5.
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Delicate Lady is joining Pletcher's always-formidable band of 2-year-olds after a private purchase following her 6 ½-length maiden win over the Polytrack at Arlington Park. Pleased with his new trainee's progress, Pletcher is hoping that the Illinois-bred filly's synthetic form transfers to Saratoga's main track as well.
"She seems to handle the dirt really well," he said. "Plus, being a Thunder Gulch, she should appreciate the added distance. We hope that she can handle the step up in class."
Delicate Lady will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez from the rail.
Steve Asmussen will saddle Just Wicked in her third career start for owner Ron Winchell. The grey Tapit filly came up a half-length short in her debut at Belmont in June and returned with a ground-saving score on opening day at Saratoga, winning by 1 ¾ lengths to earn a field-high Beyer Speed Figure of 74.
Just Wicked will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 7.
Rounding out the Adirondack field are Kandoo for Ralph Nicks; Lookout Sister for Graham Motion; and Heartbreaker Girl for Juan Rodriguez.
Source: NYRA Communications (Heather Pettinger)
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Delicate Lady is joining Pletcher's always-formidable band of 2-year-olds after a private purchase following her 6 ½-length maiden win over the Polytrack at Arlington Park. Pleased with his new trainee's progress, Pletcher is hoping that the Illinois-bred filly's synthetic form transfers to Saratoga's main track as well.
"She seems to handle the dirt really well," he said. "Plus, being a Thunder Gulch, she should appreciate the added distance. We hope that she can handle the step up in class."
Delicate Lady will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez from the rail.
Steve Asmussen will saddle Just Wicked in her third career start for owner Ron Winchell. The grey Tapit filly came up a half-length short in her debut at Belmont in June and returned with a ground-saving score on opening day at Saratoga, winning by 1 ¾ lengths to earn a field-high Beyer Speed Figure of 74.
Just Wicked will be ridden by Jose Ortiz from post 7.
Rounding out the Adirondack field are Kandoo for Ralph Nicks; Lookout Sister for Graham Motion; and Heartbreaker Girl for Juan Rodriguez.
Source: NYRA Communications (Heather Pettinger)
Read More
I'm dubious that we'll actually get the 20-1 price the morning line suggests on Quatrocento in the Grade...
The one-mile Dwyer Stakes for 3-year-olds scraped together a small field of six for its 49th renewal. Grade...
Trainer Kenny McPeek announced Friday that Kentucky Derby 150 winner Mystik Dan officially has been retired, but fans...
Wolfie’s Dynaghost , a 12-time winner for owner-breeder Woodslane Farm, is set to make his first start with trainer...
Multiple Grade 2 winner Skippylongstocking had his first work since August Friday for a planned return at Gulfstream...