A field of eight has been entered for Monday’s $150,000 Bernard Baruch H.
(G2) at Saratoga and SILVER TREE (Hennessy) will try to defend his title in the
nine-furlong turf test. The Bill Mott-trained five-year-old hasn’t visited the
winner’s circle since that neck victory, but has finished in the money in all
but two of his six starts in the past year. One of those off-the-board placings
came as a close fifth, only three lengths back, in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1).
He’ll have to carry 117 pounds, including Jerry Bailey, on Monday.
Among those trying to usurp Silver Tree is the highly regarded ARTIE SCHILLER
(El Prado [Ire]), who most recently finished third by a half-length in the
Manhattan H. (G1). The James Jerkens charge made his four-year-old debut a
winning one three back, taking the Maker’s Mark Mile S. (G2) prior to a nose
second in the Dixie S. (G2). Artie Schiller has been assigned the highweight of
122 pounds and will have Richard Migliore in the irons.
Others in the field include Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) hero AMERICA
ALIVE (American Chance), third in the Firecracker Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) last
out, and stakes winner WILLARD STRAIGHT (Lion Cavern), who was a neck back in
second in the Poker H. (G3) most recently.
DEL MAR SHOW (Theatrical [Ire]) will lead the post parade under a 115-pound
impost, most of which will be taken up by Gary Stevens. Following will be
America Alive, Robby Albarado, 119; Artie Schiller; NOT PHONE (Arg)
(Speakerphone), Edgar Prado, 113; GOLDEN COMMANDER (Deputy Commander), Javier
Castellano, 114; SEEKING ANSWERS (Ire) (Shinko Forest), Rafael Bejarano, 114;
Silver Tree; and Willard Straight, John Velazquez, 115.