Ozara Continues Love Affair With Saratoga, Confidently Scores in Ballston Spa

[Wandering Eyes]

A horse for course at Saratoga is a good thing to have, and that's exactly what the Miguel Clement stable has as Ozara (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) cruised home to collect the GII Ballston Spa Stakes.

While her three wins from as many starts at the New York mecca will be a popular point, Ozara entered into the race with three victories already to her name this year alone–the two in Florida were against optional claiming company Jan. 3 at Tampa Bay Downs and Apr. 26 at Gulfstream Park in the Monroe Stakes. She had to settled for the last trifecta spot two back June 14 at Monmouth Park when she tried her fortunes in the GIII Eatontown Stakes, and was well-beaten by GSW Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) and that one's stablemate, Argentinian Group 1-placed Maggie Go (Arg) (Winning Prize {Arg}); both of whom returned here for trainer Chad Brown. She redeemed that defeat last out July 10 in the local De La Rose Stakes when she overhauled Spinning Colors (Hard Spun) in the final yards to win by a half-length.

Sent off here carrying 7-2 odds as the betting dollars drifted the way of Deep Satin (American Pharoah) at 5-2 favoritism, she broke well but was eased off the pace to track from fourth as Edict (Arg) (Il Campione {Chi}) was sent out to set the tempo through :23, :46.69, and 1:10.33 splits. Saving ground as she inched closer to that early leader, she was asked for more outside the quarter pole but had to muscle the betting choice over to nudging her way to clear running as they entered upper stretch. Wrestling command away passing the sixteenth pole, she strolled home with ears pricked to win by 1 1/2 lengths over Deep Satin, who valiantly held on to second in a photo with No Mo Candy (Uncle Mo).

“She's based here, and she got into a great momentum here and was able to raise it to another level,” said Clement afterwards. “…I guess Saratoga suits her by having so much tactical speed. Today, they were rolling–46 and change–and she was always traveling strong on the bridle. Short stretch, a bit speed-favoring and that's her type of game.”

When asked about a potential start in the GI First Lady Stakes Oct. 4 at Keeneland, Clement said, “You have to think about it. You have the Grade I at Keeneland potentially–or at the end of the year the [GI] Matriarch [Stakes, at Del Mar]. Look at the historical stats of what De La Rose winners have done in the Matriarch recently. It's food for thought. Let's just enjoy it and see how she comes out of it.”

 

 

OZARA levels up!

She earns back-to-back stakes wins and her first graded stakes score in the G2 Ballston Spa with @DavisJockey up for trainer @clementstable. pic.twitter.com/EPjk08qbYb

— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 8, 2025

Pedigree Notes:

Ozara is heiress apparent to a fabulous female line as her dam is a half-sister to not only the mighty multiple Group 1 winner Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), but also to SW-Eng, MGSP Eastern Belle (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). The aforementioned sister has gained fame via the exploits of her sons–multiple Group winner Megallan (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and SW & GSP-Eng Glittering Legend (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). Dam Cercle d'Or (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) has produced one other winner before Ozara, a 5-year-old gelding named Laser Guided (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). After the victress, she has an unraced 3-year-old filly in Australia named Kalgoorlie Girl (Aus) (Frankel {GB}) as well as a juvenile colt by Maurice (Jpn). Her most recent on the ground is a 2025 full-sister to Ozara.

The second dam Fleche d'Or (Dubai Destination) claims her fair share of successful siblings as the half-sister to English Group 1 winner Rebecca Sharp (GB) (Machiavellian); English Group winner Mystic Knight (GB) (Caerleon); and Listed winner and multiple Group-placed Hidden Hope (GB) (Daylami {Ire}).

Friday, Saratoga
BALLSTON SPA S.-GII, $300,000, Saratoga, 8-8, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:39.65, fm.
1–OZARA (IRE), 122, f, 4, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
            1st Dam: Cercle d'Or (Ire), by Acclamation (GB)
            2nd Dam: Fleche d'Or (GB), by Dubai Destination
            3rd Dam: Nuryana (GB), by Nureyev
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. (350,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Cheyenne Stable LLC; B-Fleche D'Or Partnership (Ire); T-Miguel Clement; J-Dylan Davis. $165,000. Lifetime Record: 13-7-2-2, $598,257. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Deep Satin, 122, f, 4, American Pharoah–Take the Ribbon, by Chester House. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-John D. Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services; B-Eurowest Bloodstock Services (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $60,000.
3–No Mo Candy, 120, f, 4, Uncle Mo–Sweet, by Blame. ($80,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Niall J. Brennan and Michael J. Ryan; B-Claiborne Farm (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $36,000.
Margins: 1HF, HD, 1HF. Odds: 3.60, 2.65, 8.20.
Also Ran: Whiskey Decision, Edict (Arg), Maggie Go (Arg), Ocean Club. Scratched: Amanda's Folly, Be Your Best (Ire), Bernietakescharge, Freedom Speaks, Just Music. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

The post Ozara Continues Love Affair With Saratoga, Confidently Scores in Ballston Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article