The Travers S. (G1) will not be the only race at Saratoga on Saturday with
potential Eclipse Award implications. INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie), last
year’s champion female sprinter, will try and get back on the winning track
toward a title defense when she takes on five others in the $300,000
Ballerina S. (G1) over seven furlongs. The two-time Eclipse Award winner,
who was named champion juvenile filly two years ago, returns to the dirt after a
subpar performance over Hollywood Park’s Cushion Track.
Limited to only two starts this year, Indian Blessing kicked off her 2009
campaign with a runner-up finish in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) in her
first attempt versus males, but did not reappear until June 14 when contesting
the Desert Stormer H. at Hollywood. Unfortunately, the filly known for her
tremendous consistency finished worse than second for the first time in her
14-race career that day, finishing more than five lengths behind in fourth. A
return to the dirt might be what the Bob Baffert charge needs, in particular a
return to the ancient Saratoga dirt which was the site of her seven-length score
in last year’s Test S. (G1).
John Velazquez, who rode Indian Blessing to victory in the Test as well as the
Prioress S. (G1) and La Brea S. (G1) last season, will be back aboard the
four-year-old.
INFORMED DECISION (Monarchos), who enters on a five-race winning streak that
encompasses races on both synthetic and dirt, should be a major factor under
Julien Leparoux. The George Strawbridge-owned gray pipped defending Breeders’
Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Ventura (Chester House) in the Madison S. (G1)
in her seasonal debut, and has since added the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill
Downs and Chicago H. (G3) at Arlington Park. Her only prior trip to Saratoga
resulted in a third in last year’s Victory Ride S. (G3), and her BRIS Speed
ratings suggest she might be slightly better on synthetic surfaces.
MUSIC NOTE (A.P. Indy), a major contender for the three-year-old filly
championship last year off wins in the Mother Goose S. (G1), Coaching Club
American Oaks (G1) and Gazelle S. (G1), flattened out badly after making a
middle move in the June 13 Ogden Phipps H. (G1) in her only outing of the
season. The Godolphin colorbearer has raced under a mile only once previously,
finishing fourth in her Belmont debut in October 2007 going 6 1/2 furlongs.
The Ballerina field is rounded out by stakes winners P. S. U. GRAD (Harlan’s
Holiday) and TAR HEEL MOM (Flatter) as well as Humana Distaff third-placer
MODIFICATION (Vindication).
The multiple Grade 1-winning COCOA BEACH (Chi) (Doneraile Court), who
rebounded from a poor effort in her seasonal bow to take the August 5 De La Rose
S. over the Spa’s inner turf, will move out to the Mellon turf course to take on
seven rivals in the $200,000
Ballston Spa H. (G2) at 1 1/16 miles. A dual classic winner in the United
Arab Emirates last year, the five-year-old landed the Beldame S. (G1) and
Matriarch S. (G1) last fall as well as finishing second behind champion Zenyatta
(Street Cry [Ire]) in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (G1). The multi-surface
threat is perfect in three attempts on grass and will be piloted by Ramon
Dominguez.
Grade 1 veteran RUTHERIENNE (Pulpit) snapped a long losing streak when taking
the Nassau S. (Can-G2) by three lengths two starts back, then was beaten less
than a length into third after getting a less-than-clear run in the stretch of
the Diana S. (G1) earlier this month. Third in this event last year, Rutherienne
will be guided from post 1 by Alan Garcia.
MY PRINCESS JESS (Stormy Atlantic), a dull fifth in the Diana last out, can
fare better this time around. The three-time graded stakes winner was victorious
in the Beaugay S. (G3) at this distance in her first start of the season and has
done well at Saratoga in the past, capturing the Lake George S. (G2) last
season. She is one of several that will attempt to make a winning late run.
Another is CLOSEOUT (Repriced), who relished wet ground in taking the Locust
Grove H. (G3) last out and the Pucker Up S. (G3). last fall.
South African Group 1 winner CAPTAIN’S LOVER (SAf) (Captain Al) prevailed in
an off-the-turf and downgraded Matchmaker S. at Monmouth Park, and had
previously finished fifth in the Just a Game S. (G1) in her American debut.
Another recent import to watch is Argentinean Group 2 queen TEAMGEIST (Arg) (Mutakddim)
who endured a rough trip in the stretch when settling for sixth in the De La
Rose. That race, her first since December, served as her U.S. debut for trainer
Kenny McPeek. The field is rounded out by multiple Grade 3-placed stakes winner
DYNA’S LASSIE (Dynaformer) and German maiden winner SALVE GERMANIA (Ire)
(Peintre Celebre).