Champion ASHADO (Saint Ballado), a 9 1/2-length heroine of the Go for Wand H.
(G1) in her last start, is the likely prohibitive favorite for Friday’s $400,000
Personal Ensign S. (G1) at Saratoga. Winner of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff
(G1), the Todd Pletcher-trained four-year-old opened this year with two straight
losses but will now be pursuing her third consecutive triumph, following
dominant victories in the Ogden Phipps H. (G1) and Go for Wand, the latter
at Saratoga. Ashado earned her first Grade 1 tally at the Spa when winning the
2003 Spinaway S. (G1), and the dark bay miss appears to be firing on all
cylinders presently.
Contested over 10 furlongs, the Personal Ensign will feature seven distaffers.
Grade 1 victress ISLAND SAND (Tabasco Cat), an impressive 3 3/4-length winner of
the Delaware H. (G2) last out, will attempt to derail the favorite. Jerry Bailey
rides the Larry Jones charge. TWO TRAIL SIOUX (Indian Charlie) is another upset
candidate. Trained by Wally Dollase, the four-year-old miss earned her biggest
career win when taking the Fleur de Lis H. (G2) two starts back at Churchill
Downs and exits a commendable runner-up finish to Island Sand.
ISOLA PIU BELLA (Chi) (Rich Man’s Gold), the 2003 champion three-year-old
filly in Chile and a three-time U.S. stakes winner since making her North
American bow in January, never fired following a rough start in the Delaware H.
and could show more here for Pletcher. The uncoupled mare will be reunited with
Ramon Dominguez, who guided the Grade 3 winner to a two-length stakes score two
starts back. Multiple Grade 2 queen SHADOW CAST (Smart Strike), winner of the
Louisville Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) over a strong field in May, is also in the
lineup.
The complete Personal Ensign field, from the rail, is Shadow Cast, Robby
Albarado, 118; Two Trail Sioux, Gary Stevens, 118; Island Sand, 118; PERSONAL
LEGEND (Awesome Again), Edgar Prado, 116; Ashado, John Velazquez, 122; Isola Piu
Bella, 116; and A SONG IN A MINOR (Real Quiet), Jose Santos, 116.
One race earlier, seven juvenile fillies will square off over seven furlongs
in the $250,000 Spinaway S. (G2). FOLKLORE (Tiznow), winner of the Adirondack S.
(G2) on the opening-day program, headlines the field. Trained by D. Wayne Lukas,
who will be seeking his seventh Spinaway score, Folklore finished second when
making her stakes bow in the Astoria S. two starts back and will bring a 4-2-2-0
mark into Friday’s event.
Unbeaten EFFECTUAL (Carson City), who exits a 2 1/2-length tally in the
Debutante S. (G3) at Churchill Downs, is another top contender and features the
hot trainer/jockey combination of Steve Asmussen and Bailey. Astoria winner
ADIEU (El Corredor) also looks dangerous, and SENSATION (Dixie Union) will make
her stakes debut off a pair of impressive victories for conditioner Stanley
Hough.
Folklore breaks from the innermost post with jockey Cornelio Velasquez. Next
in the starting gate comes FIFTH AVENUE (Monarchos), Pablo Fragoso; Effectual;
ALONG THE SEA (Anees), Javier Castellano; WONDER LADY ANNE L (Real Quiet), Prado;
Sensation, Coa; and Adieu, Velazquez.
All starters will carry 119 pounds.