White-faced wonder Southern Phantom debuting at Saratoga

Trainer Eric Guillot remembers a Jack Van Berg-trained horse in the 1990s named Tri Chrome, a registered bay colt who had “a little bit of white here, a little bit of white there.”

But, Guillot told XBTV, it was “nothing like this.”

In a 2018 Saratoga meet with multiple graded stakes winners on the grounds, un-raced Southern Phantom has already built up a fan base due to his completely white face and one blue eye. The son of Bodemeister, out of a Bernardini mare, makes his debut in Saturday’s sixth race, a maiden special weight event at 5 1/2 furlongs.

“Every Monday, he goes back with more confidence to the track after he works on Saturdays,” said Guillot, who last sent out Southern Phantom for a half-mile work from the gate in 47.55 seconds, fastest of 33 workers a week ago at Saratoga.

Post time is 3:49 p.m. ET.

The bad news for Southern Phantom’s growing fan base? Guillot said the horse runs much better with blinkers on, so his appearance won’t fully be on display. But that equipment often comes off as young horses mature and stretch out in their races.

The trainer also has some unique markings, except on the back of his head. Guillot shaved elements of the Saratoga logo into the back of his head with the meet beginning Friday in New York.