Deep Satin Needs A Trip In the Ballston Spa

[Wandering Eyes]

A well-matched field of turf distaffers will head to the post for Friday's GII Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga, and the Cherie DeVaux-trained Deep Satin (American Pharoah) will have to overcome the widest gate in this return to graded stakes compeitition.

Dead-heat winner of last year's Virginia Oaks, the homebred missed by a neck to 'TDN Rising Star' Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah) when favored in a salty Keeneland allowance on seasonal debut Apr. 25, but couldn't overcome the 11 hole in the June 1 GIII Mint Julep Stakes, finishing an even fifth. The bay sat handy to the pace in the first of two divisions of the restricted De La Rose Stakes on opening day July 10 and was along late to take it by a neck in what became a sit-sprint contest.

“She improved last out,” said DeVaux. “She had shown a lot of promise in her races. So, she definitely deserves a chance in this graded stakes. She definitely has trained forwardly since her last race. She looks great, so we will be taking a shot in here.”

Though the second division of the De La Rose was fully 1.24 seconds faster, the victorious Ozara (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) earned a 90 Beyer, just two points better than Deep Satin given the significantly different pace dynamics. Winner of the Apr. 26 Monroe Stakes at Gulfstream, the bay was beaten on the square by the re-opposing Chad Brown stablemates Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) and U.S. debutante Maggie Go (Arg) (Winning Prize {Arg}) in the GIII Eatontown Stakes June 14 before bouncing back in the De La Rose.

Morning-line favorite Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {Ire}), wire-to-wire winner of the GI Gamely Stakes at Santa Anita May 26, will scratch in favor of Saturday's GII Beverly D. Stakes at Colonial.

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