Saratoga Updates: Saturday’s Big Winners in Good Form, Hopefuls Tune Up for Coming Targets

[Wandering Eyes]

Saturday at Saratoga, while stuck in Mother Nature's crosshairs, provided trainer Chad Brown a tenth GI Diana Stakes victory with Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) and saw 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel) dominate the GII Bowling Green Stakes. With their charges emerging from the efforts in good shape, the connections are tentatively looking to the future.

In the Brown camp, Excellent Truth's effort only served to strengthen what the conditioner already believed going into the contest–that his mare was one of the best in the country. After two prior instances of 'so close and yet so far', the Irish-bred finally broke through with a top-level victory in the States with a hard-won effort.

“That was a very courageous performance,” said Brown, who won his ninth Diana in the past 10 years. “I'm so proud of her, with the way she battled back and showed a lot of heart. She got a really good trip–she got bumped a little bit in the lane–but outside of that, she got a good trip and she's been a very consistent horse. You could argue with a little better racing luck, she could've won all three of her starts here.”

“If she had, I think everyone would be viewing her as a clear leader of the division. I still think she is a slight leader of the division, with a heads up win there just now, but I view her as a horse that easily could've been undefeated so far, at three different distances. She is a remarkable talent, and I'm not surprised–she has always trained super.”

While Excellent Truth exited the Diana in good order, Brown said it was doubtful that the mare would contest the GII Ballston Spa Aug. 8, and that he has yet to decide on a next target for her.

“I think it [the Ballston Spa] is too tight. I can't see any scenario where I wheel her back in that race.”

Stablemate Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), who ran on late to claim third in the race, might see a cutback in distance in her future.

“The turf was to her liking, but I think with the pace, those two horses sprinted home. Additionally, my reservation with her stretching out was the pace gets a little softer and it might dilute her kick just a touch. I was happy she got up for third,” Brown said.

Far Bridge Emerges in Fine Shape, Targets Sword Dancer Title Defense

Team Far Bridge enters the winner's circle after the Bowling Green | Sarah Andrew

The rain may've scratched out a good portion of the field in the GII Bowling Green Stakes, but 'Rising Star' Far Bridge was not to be beaten either way, strolling home the easiest of winners under Hall of Famer Joel Rosario.

“He's sound and in good order, and I'm delighted with him,” said trainer Miguel Clement. “He handles all adversity, obstacles and challenges. He was enjoying himself, which I love to see, and his ears were pricked up. He's enjoying life and it's great. He and Joel have a great relationship, and we're off to the Sword Dancer.”

The GI Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes Aug. 9 offers a 'Win and You're In' berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in November at Del Mar. Should he successfully defend his title, Far Bridge would become just the eighth horse to win two editions of the Sword Dancer since it started being contested at the mile and a half distance in 1980.

Minaret Station Eyeballs Grade I Saratoga Derby Invitational

Last October's GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes winner Minaret Station (Instilled Regard) has been impressing his connections since his successful return to the races June 28 at Churchill Downs when he claimed the Listed American Derby, and trainer Will Walden reports that the colt is ready for the elite level. The OXO Equine colorbearer will point to the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Aug. 2 at The Spa.

“He's doing great. I'm really excited about him,” Walden said. “It was a long layoff having the winter off. We targeted that spot [American Derby] from the moment he stepped foot in Keeneland in April. We were lucky that we didn't have any hiccups along the way.”

Minaret Station posted a half-mile move Friday over Saratoga's main track in :49.65 (58/92)–it was his first at the venue. Prior to that, he had been based at Keeneland and then Churchill.

“He's still a big baby, figuring all this out. He's getting better, and his confidence level is really high. He's a happy horse and he's doing well. We're aiming for the Saratoga Derby and we're excited about it.”

Kentucky Oaks Victress Good Cheer On Track for Alabama

Beaten GI DK Horse Acorn Stakes favorite GISW Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) breezed a half-mile on Sunday over the Saratoga main track as she continues her preparations for the GI Alabama Stakes Aug. 16.

According to NYRA clockers, the Godolphin homebred covered the four furlongs in :50.66 (99/114). It was her second breeze back since her first career defeat June 6 in the Acorn when she ran fifth with no apparent reason to explain the effort.

“She just went a nice smooth half-mile from the three-eighths pole,” said Blake Cox, on-site for the breeze as the assistant trainer to his father Brad. “We kept her off the rail. I believe she worked in 50 [seconds], which is exactly what we wanted her to do. We have plenty of time until the Alabama, and in the next few weeks, we'll start asking her to do more.”

“I don't really know about the Acorn, that was just a flat effort, and we can't really come up with an excuse. You could tell on the backside that she wasn't traveling well, but hopefully she comes back to her old self in the Alabama.”

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