Saratoga Notebook Presented By NYRA: Whitney The Race Repole Really Wants To Win

Wandering Eyes · 2025-08-01T19:07:59Z

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY–The cell phone rang, and, on the other end, Mike Repole was rolling.

“I've won the Alabama twice, I've won the Jim Dandy three times … I have to pinch myself,” Repole, his rat-a-tat-tat all-Queens accent working in overdrive, said from his summer home in New England. “I've won the Coaching Club (American Oaks) twice. I've won the Hopeful … to win the Travers once in your life is one in a million. I've won it twice, so it's one in a billion!”

And a pause. In the background, Gioia, his 10-year-old daughter could be heard.

“Are you bragging?” Gioia asked her dad.

Dad laughed and kept on going.

Until he came to the $1-million GI Whitney Stakes. He's over a barrel on that one.

The flamboyant and outspoken 56-year-old horse owner hasn't gotten to the Whitney winner's circle.Yet.

He's hoping that changes Saturday when 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) carries the Repole flag in the Saratoga signature race for older horses. He owns the 4-year-old, the 9-5 Whitney morning-line favorite with Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier.

Repole's 'Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution), who he owns with Vinnie and Teresa Viola's St. Elias Stable, is also entered in the Whitney, but will only run if Fierceness scratches.

Both horses are trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher.

This looks to be Repole's best chance to win the Whitney. Vino Rosso (Curlin) finished third in 2019.

“Listen, on the New York circuit, I don't know how many races I feel I have to win,” he said. “The Whitney is definitely No. 1 on my bucket list. It's obviously a special race. I remember going to this race and seeing both Marylou (Whitney) and her husband (John Hendrickson) and they have both passed. It's a tradition in a historic place. Very special.”

Repole is in an enviable position having two of the best older horses in training. Fierceness has won six of 11 career starts and is three for four lifetime at Saratoga. Last summer, he won both the GII Jim Dandy Stakes and GI Travers Stakes.

Mindframe has won five of seven in his career and will be pointed to the GI Jockey Club Cup at the end of the meet.

One day soon, most likely in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 1, both horses will square off.

“If it happens, I would be blessed to have both in the Classic,” Repole said. “I guess it would be like having two kids on different sides of the football or basketball teams. Only one can win. You root for both of them to run great and one wins, and one comes in second. It is special to have these two older horses.”

Post Time Always Gives it His Best Shot

It was just a typical day for Post Time (Frosted), the playful 5-year-old horse from trainer Brittany Russell. After taking his tour of the Oklahoma Training Track with assistant trainer Emma Wolfe on board, Post Time came back to the barn and, after being unsaddled, was walked outside the shedrow.

When he spied a small patch of dirt within the grass, Post Time did what Post Time does. He plopped himself down and rolled around while Wolfe just smiled and held on to his lead. Then he popped up and continued his walk.

“Emma obviously does a fantastic job with him,” Russell, who arrived in Saratoga from Maryland Thursday, said. “She is really in tune with him. That goes a long way. If a horse needs a little extra special TLC, it's important to have someone who knows him like she does.”

Post Time has been extra special to the Russell barn because wherever he goes, he shows up. In 18 career starts, he has never missed the board with 11 wins, three seconds and four third place finishes.

Post-Time-with-Emma-Wolfe-08-01-2025-SA6

Post Time with exercise rider Emma Wolfe | Sarah Andrew

He was second in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, was third in last year's GI Whitney Stakes. He was also third in the GI Met Mile in 2024.

As good as he has been, he has never won a Grade I and he will have to run the race of his life to get it in this year's Whitney, which is being held Saturday.

“I want it for him,” Russell said of the elusive Grade I. “I want it for Ellen (Charles, of Hillwood Stables LLC, owner of Post Time). “I want it for my team. What will be will be. Horse racing is a tough sport. Keeping him healthy and competing at that level is a big part of it. If he could get it done, it would mean so much.”

Post Time will be ridden by Sheldon Russell, Brittany's husband. He has been Post Time's partner in his last 15 starts. In their last appearance, Post Time won the Deputed Testamony Stakes at Laurel by 3 1/2 lengths on June 28.

“This horse just always shows up,” Russell said of Post Time, who is 12-1 on the morning line in the loaded Whitney field. “It really doesn't matter what we throw at him. He is five years old and still playing at this level so, as long as he is loving it and keeps running like this, it's just special. These are good horses, it's an awesome race. I really feel like he deserves to be in there.”

Look Forward Looking Forward to Test

Trainer Michael McCarthy has sent a horse to Saratoga.

Ok. Hold on. It's not Journalism (Curlin).

While McCarthy continues to mull over what is next for his 3-year-old star, he has sent another 3-year-old to Saratoga. It's Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro), a 3-year-old filly who is here to run in Saturday's $500,000 seven-furlong GI Test Stakes.

She was here nearly two months ago and ran a credible second to La Cara (Street Sense) in the GI Acorn Stakes. La Cara won that by three lengths; Look Forward won the battle for second by a neck over Scottish Lassie (McKinzie), who returned to win the GI Coaching Club American Oaks by 15 lengths.

McCarthy, speaking from California, was perusing the weather forecast for the Saratoga weekend. He liked when he saw rain in the forecast for Thursday; not so much when he saw sunny and clear for the weekend.

Look Forward, owned by Reddam Racing LLC, relished the off track in the Acorn.

“I want it to pour,” McCarthy said with a laugh. “We were very pleased with that effort in the Acorn.”

Look Forward arrived in Saratoga earlier this week. She has won three of seven career starts with a pair of seconds. She will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli, who is making the trip from California. He rode her in the Acorn and was on board when she won the seven-furlong GII Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 2.