What to watch for: Big names fill out Whitney undercard
The weekend has its clear headliner in Saratoga's Grade 1, $1 million Whitney, and Mr. Money's pursuit of the West Virginia Derby will draw plenty of attention. But a number of other standout horses across many divisions are set to go postward, too.
Based on probables in Horse Racing Nation's Stakes Tracker, check out other fields drawing Wednesday for Saturday's races...
World of Trouble returns in the Troy
A Grade 1 winner on turf and dirt in 2019, the 4-year-old World of Trouble looks to continue his dominance of the New York circuit in the Grade 3, $200,000 Troy sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on grass. We know he can run on any surface, but the distance of the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint may be more to his liking as a year-end goal, with this another step toward it.
Few are appearing to dodge one of America's fastest horses in training, with Imprimis, who made a nice account of himself last time at Royal Ascot, curiously showing up as a possibility for the Troy.
2019 Troy (G3)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 123 | Pure Sensation Zensational |
| Probable | ||||
| World of Trouble Kantharos | J. Servis |
| Probable | ||||
| Tricks To Doo Into Mischief | A. Delacour |
| Possible | ||||
| Dirty Maclean's Music | J. Englehart |
| Probable | ||||
| Rocket Heat Latent Heat | M. Tannuzzo |
| Probable | ||||
| Wet Your Whistle Stroll | M. Trombetta |
| Probable | ||||
| Imprimis Broken Vow | J. Orseno |
| Possible | ||||
| Leinster Majestic Warrior | G. Arnold II |
| Probable | ||||
| Square Shooter Trappe Shot |
| Probable | |||||
| Totally Boss Street Boss | B. Lynch |
| Possible |
Test matches top 3-year-old fillies
This could prove an even better race than the Whitney as beaten Kentucky Oaks favorite Bellafina backs up to one turn, where her speed figures have been best, in the Grade 1, $500,000 Test.
There are a number of talented challengers, including Oaks winner Serengeti Empress, record-setting sprinter Covfefe plus Break Even and Royal Charlotte, who are both unbeaten stakes winners.
2019 Test (G1)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Break Even Country Day | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| Serengeti Empress Alternation | T. Amoss |
| Probable | ||||
| Royal Charlotte Cairo Prince | C. Brown |
| Probable | ||||
| Bellafina Quality Road | S. Callaghan |
| Probable | ||||
| Covfefe Into Mischief | B. Cox |
| Probable | ||||
| Jeltrin Tapizar | A. Delgado |
| Probable | ||||
| Please Flatter Me Munnings | M. Reid |
| Probable | ||||
| Trenchtown Cat Discreet Cat | R. Crichton |
| Probable | ||||
| Take Charge Angel Will Take Charge | B. Colebrook |
| Probable | ||||
| Message Warrior's Reward | B. Baffert |
| Possible |
Hollendorfer back in with Vasilika
Arlington Park's Beverly D. (G1) is also an option on Aug. 10, but trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, granted an injunction by a judge that temporarily lifts his ban on competing at Del Mar, is expected back in stakes company for Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 Yellow Ribbon.
Hollendorfer will have horses back in his name led by Vasilika, off since winning Santa Anita Park's Gamely (G1) back in May. The former $40,000 claim is now a division leader for older fillies and mares on turf. While he's back, Hollendorfer says this "not business as usual. I have 17 horses where last year I had 50.”
2019 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vasilika Skipshot | J. Hollendorfer |
| Possible |
Promising juveniles in for Sorrento
They'll line up for the Grade 2, $200,000 Sorrento knowing a matchup with Immediate Impact, the impressive debut winner who's a half to Arrogate, is waiting later in the Del Mar Debutante (G1).
Talent in this prospective field includes Comical, the Doug O'Neill trainee who shipped east to win Saratoga's Schuylerville, and Amalfi Sunrise, a first out winner for Simon Callaghan, who's known for having his 2-year-olds ready to go.
2019 Sorrento (G2)
| Rank | Silks | Horse / Sire | Rating | Trainer / Jockey | Last Start | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comical Into Mischief | D. O'Neill |
| Probable | ||||
| Amalfi Sunrise Constitution | S. Callaghan |
| Probable | ||||
| Shedaresthedevil Daredevil | N. Casse |
| Possible | ||||
| Princess Mo Uncle Mo | . Gomez |
| Possible |
And on Sunday...
The second leg of the Turf Trinity, for 3-year-old males on turf, goes in the form of the $1 million Saratoga Derby. Henley's Joy, who won the Belmont Derby (G1), will look to move on in the series while tangling again with Social Paranoia, Rockemperor and Digital Age, who filled out the board.