Con Lima Heads Competitive Bunch in Saratoga Oaks

Freshly minted Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher sends GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. runner-up Con Lima (Commissioner) to target the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational S., the middle jewel of NYRA's Turf Tiara Series and upgraded in its third edition this year to graded status. At 1 3/16 miles, Sunday's Saratoga Oaks is just a hair shorter than the July 10 Belmont Oaks, in which Con Lima led but yielded in the final strides to Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who hailed from the powerful Aidan O'Brien barn with Group 1 form just two weeks prior in Ireland.

Coming off consecutive victories in Belmont's June 3 GIII Wonder Again S. and Gulfstream's May 1 Honey Ryder S. prior to the Belmont Oaks, Con Lima has the highest Beyer–89–of the American runners in the field. Her record stands at a stellar 11 first- or second-place finishes from 12 starts for her ownership group–Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph F. Graffeo, Eric Nikolaus Del Toro, and Troy Johnson–but she's up against a couple of formidable Europeans in this spot.

Creative Flair (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) hails from the Charlie Appleby stable with three wins from her last five starts. After consecutive mile scores and a mile listed stakes placing in England, she stretched out to 10 furlongs and promptly notched her first stakes win. She shortened up to nine furlongs for the G3 Prix Chloe in France, getting run down at the end for a third. The Godolphin homebred gets Mike Smith in the irons to share morning-line favoritism with Con Lima. Godolphin won this race last year with Antoinette (Hard Spun).

Peter Brant's Rocky Sky (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) has done little wrong, never off the board in four starts in Ireland and now makes her first appearance since a 1 1/4-mile win in a listed event Apr 25. She makes her American debut for new trainer Chad Brown, who has a stunning record with European imports on the stateside lawn.

Lightly raced Higher Truth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is Brown's other runner here and has improved with every race. A second-out maiden win in April gave way to an allowance victory in June. She parlayed those two victories into a nose third behind Con Lima in her first stakes try in the Belmont Oaks.

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Con Lima Tries To Stretch Speed To 1 3/16 Miles In Saratoga Oaks Invitational

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Eric Nikolaus Del Toro and Troy Johnson's multiple graded-stakes winner Con Lima, first or second in 11 of 12 lifetime starts, can help put the exclamation point on what is sure to be an emotional weekend for trainer Todd Pletcher in Sunday's Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Oaks Invitational, middle jewel of NYRA's Turf Triple series for 3-year-old fillies, is one of two grass stakes on the program, joined by the $120,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose for older fillies and mares. Sunday's card also features the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack for juvenile fillies on the main track.

In his first year of eligibility, the 54-year-old Pletcher will be inducted Friday into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame, located across Union Avenue from the racetrack where he has been leading trainer 14 times including last year. Two days later he will be looking for his first win in the Saratoga Oaks, inaugurated in 2019.

Con Lima set the pace but fell a half-length short of winner Santa Barbara in the first leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies, the Grade 1, 1 ¼-mile Belmont Oaks Invitational July 10 at Belmont Park. The Commissioner filly was left alone on an easy lead, going a half-mile in 51.31 seconds and a mile in 1:40.76 before being caught late.

Prior to that race, Con Lima won the 1 1/16-mile Honey Ryder May 1 at Gulfstream Park and Belmont's Grade 3 Wonder Again June 3 in successive starts, both also on the turf, where she has a record of five wins and two seconds from seven tries.

“It's not obvious in her pedigree, but obviously she's performed well over the grass. She appreciates the tighter turns at Saratoga like she did at Gulfstream. She's doing well and we're looking forward to trying it again,” Pletcher said. “She just continues to step up. She's been super consistent and gives a good effort every time.”

Flavien Prat has the mount from post 5 on Con Lima, whose other stakes wins came over the winter at Gulfstream in the Ginger Brew January 2 and Grade 3 Herecomesthebride February 27, when she was placed first following the disqualification of Spanish Loveaffair.

“She seemed to really like Gulfstream, which is a tighter course, so maybe that will work in her favor here,” Pletcher said. “If she continues to run her races the way she has been, she should be able to get one of [these].”

Trainer Chad Brown is set to send out the pair of Higher Truth and Rocky Sky in the Saratoga Oaks. Michael Ryan, Jeff Drown and Team Hanley's Higher Truth was third, a nose behind Con Lima, in the Belmont Oaks, just her fourth career start and first in a stakes.

“She got a great trip and was right there. I was proud of her effort,” Brown said. “She's a horse that continues to improve, so we should be in good shape. Moving forward as far as her development, I really like what I see. She's a distance horse, absolutely.”

Peter Brant's Rocky Sky will be racing for the first time in the U.S. after four starts in her native Ireland. Last out, she won the 1 ¼-mile Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Salsabil Stakes April 24.

“We've had her for a little while now. She seems to be really adapting to the program. The last couple works were the best I've seen from her. She's an exciting prospect,” Brown said. “She's doing everything right. We momentarily thought about the Belmont Oaks. It was just too soon for her. I wanted more time with her and I think it was the right decision. I really like where I'm at now with her.”

Jose Ortiz has the mount on Higher Truth from post 1 while older brother Irad Ortiz, Jr. rides Rocky Sky from post 6.

Also in from Europe are Creative Flair and Messidor.

Godolphin homebred Creative Flair was beaten a head when third in the Group 3 Prix Chloe July 18 at Chantilly in France. The bay daughter of Dubawi won twice this year in England, including the 1 1/8-mile Betfair British E.B.F. Abingdon Stakes June 10 at Newbury.

“She ran a huge race last time. It looked like she was really going to go and win that, and she just got collared near the line,” said Chris Connett, traveling assistant for trainer Charlie Appleby. “She will wear a hood to run in, but she's always worn that and we won't change anything now. She'll sit on or near the pace and she sees the trip pretty well. Her form is solid, and she should take a bit of beating.”

Hall of Famer Mike Smith gets the assignment on Creative Flair from post 7.

Blue Devil Racing Stable's Messidor, trained by Joseph O'Brien, has been third in three stakes in England and Ireland, and was only beaten 4 ½ lengths when eighth in the Group 3 Ballylinch Stud Priory Belle One Thousand Guineas Trial April 11 at Leopardstown, contested at seven furlongs. Hall of Famer John Velazquez rides from post 2.

Lazy F Ranch homebred Gam's Mission capped a three-race win streak in the Grade 3, 1 1/8-mile Regret May 29 at Churchill Downs. The effort propelled the Galileo filly into the Belmont Oaks, where she was outkicked late following a wide trip and wound up fourth, beaten only two lengths.

“I thought she ran great,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said. “All things considered, I think she ran her race which was really good in a Grade 1 stepping up in company and losing by two lengths to some very nice fillies. It was further than she's ever gone before and a big step up in company, and I think she handled it all really well. She came out of it in good shape.”

Saratoga meet-leading rider Luis Saez climbs aboard for the first time from post 3.

The connections of Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Michael Caruso's Plum Ali will be hoping to see some early foot to aid the winner of the Grade 2 Miss Grillo last fall that has been beaten a total of five lengths in her last three races – the Grade 2 Appalachian April 3 at Keeneland, Wonder Again and Belmont Oaks.

“The filly is doing well. The only thing with the filly that we need is perhaps a bit of pace to run at,” said Miguel Clement, assistant trainer to his father, Christophe Clement. “She's been a bit compromised in her last few starts by a lack of pace. Hopefully she can get a real pace to run at and be able to show her true ability.”

Joel Rosario will be in the irons from post 4.

Completing the field is Respect the Valleys' Out of Sorts, last out winner of the 1 1/16-mile Christiana Stakes July 3 at Delaware Park. Prior to that, the Dramedy daughter ran in back-to-back allowances at her home track of Pimlico Race Course, finishing second by a nose May 15 on the undercard of the Grade 1 Preakness, and first by a head June 13. Both races came against older horses.

Out of Sorts is trained by Brittany Russell, whose husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, comes in from Maryland to ride from outside post 8.

“It's sort of one of those now or never situations. She's doing great. She's been awesome on the turf this year. We think she'll love the distance. She's cool. She's a handy filly,” Brittany Russell said. “Sheldon can get her to shut off, but she also has that little bit of gas to her if he needs to use her a little bit. I think she's just the right type, and we want to find out if she's that kind.”

The Saratoga Oaks Invitational is carded nine on Sunday's 10-race program, which offers a first post of 1:05 p.m. Eastern. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Saratoga Race Course, and the best way to bet every race of the 40-day meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com

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Brown Prepares Lemista, Pocket Square For Diana At Saratoga

Trainer Chad Brown breezed a number of horses over the Belmont Park inner turf on Sunday morning, including Lemista and Pocket Square who are both on target for the $500,000 Grade 1 Diana on July 17 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The pair of Diana aspirants worked five furlongs in company with Lemista completing her work in bullet time of 1:01.80 outside of Pocket Square, who finished off in 1:01.89.

Owned by Peter Brant, Lemista earned a 100 Beyer in her North American debut in the Grade 3 Beaugay on May 8 at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., finishing a late-closing second to Harvey's Lil Goil. The 4-year-old daughter of 2008 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass was a Group 2 winner three starts back at the Curragh over yielding going.

Juddmonte Farm's Pocket Square, a Group 3 winner in France, was impressive in her North American debut on April 7 at Keeneland and subsequently was fifth as the lukewarm favorite in the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game on June 5 at Belmont.

“They both worked well with one another and are going to the Diana,” Brown said. “Lemista has relished the time in between her races. With Pocket Square, I'm drawing a line through the Just a Game. She was lined up so well going into that race and there were things I was hopeful she would be able to overcome, but it didn't quite work out.”

Brown has won the Diana six times, including the past five editions with talented turf distaffers Dacita [2016], Lady Eli [2017], Sistercharlie [2018-19], and Rushing Fall [2020].

On Saturday, Brown sent out Michael Ryan, Jeff Drown, and Team Hanley's Higher Truth for her stakes debut in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks Invitational, finishing a close third, beaten a half-length to Santa Barbara.

Brown said the daughter of the late Galileo will target the $700,000 Grade 3 Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 8.

“I thought she ran well. I was proud of her effort,” Brown said. “It looked like she was in for a good chance late in the race and picked up a piece of it at the end. We'll probably move on to the next leg [of the Turf Triple series].”

Higher Truth arrived at the Belmont Oaks off two starts at ten furlongs, breaking her maiden by a half-length over the inner turf on April 22 before defeating winners on June 10.

“She's had three mile and a quarter races in a row, so she's gained a lot of experience and fitness,” Brown said. “I think down the road, she'll be able to run even further.”

Brown said he could have at least two fillies for the Saratoga Oaks as Rocky Sky, previously considered for the Belmont Oaks, opted to wait for the second leg.

Owned by Peter Brant, Rocky Sky is a two-time winner in her native Ireland, capturing the ten-furlong Salsabil last out on April 25.

“We thought she would benefit from more time going into the Saratoga Oaks, so that's where she's headed to,” said Brown.

Brown said recent allowance optional claiming winner Amy C will target the $150,000 Grade 3 Lake George, a one-mile inner turf test for sophomore fillies on July 13 at the Spa.

Owned by Madaket Stable, Michael Dubb, and Robert V. LaPenta, the 3-year-old daughter of Charming Thought broke her maiden in March at Deauville before shipping to North America.

“It was a nice first time from out of the country for us. It seems like she's ready for a stakes now,” Brown said.

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Brown Plans Next Starts For Domestic Spending, Devamani

Klaravich Stables' Domestic Spending, winner of the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan last out, was one of multiple horses to breeze over the inner turf at Belmont Park in Elmont, Ny. for trainer Chad Brown on Sunday morning.

The 4-year-old son of Kingman went a half-mile in company with multiple graded stakes-placed Rockemperor, completing his four-furlong move in :49.75 over the firm turf.

“He worked in company with Rockemperor just stretching his legs,” Brown said. “He went an easy half-mile and I just wanted to get him out there and assess him. It was a very routine work. He looks super.”

Prior to capturing the Manhattan over good turf on June 5, Domestic Spending dead-heated for victory with Colonel Liam in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

In the Manhattan, Domestic Spending was 11 lengths back on the backstretch before displaying a devastating turn-of-foot to gun down graded stakes-winning stablemate Tribhuvan, winning by 2 3/4-lengths.

Brown said Domestic Spending remains on target for the Grade 1, $600,000 Mister D Stakes, formerly known as the Arlington Million, on August 14 at Arlington Park.

Also on the work tab was Master Piece, who finished a late-closing sixth in the Manhattan and went a half-mile in :48.62.

“He's looking for firm ground. I'm thinking about running him in the [$500,000 Grade 1] United Nations [on July 17 at Monmouth Park].”

Brown said he will be hoping for a better performance next out from Juddmonte's Pocket Square, who finished fifth as the beaten favorite in the Grade 1 Longines Just a Game Stakes on June 5.

The daughter of Night of Thunder blitzed through a half-mile with a bullet work in :48.05 – the fastest of 18 recorded works at the distance. She will be pointed for the $500,000 Grade 1 Diana Stakes on July 17 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, Ny.

“Going into the Just a Game, she missed her final work with the rainstorms. I wasn't able to get a few horses there that weekend,” Brown said. “In hindsight, it really affected her. She was flat in her race, and I think it was because of missing a work. I'm inclined to draw a line through that race and point her to the Diana.”

Brown would be targeting a sixth straight Diana victory having won the past five with Dacita [2016], Lady Eli [2017], Sistercharlie [2018-19], and Rushing Fall [2020].

Michael Dubb, Sandford Goldfarb, and Samuel Abraham's Devamani logged his first work since capturing the Grade 3 Monmouth Stakes on June 5, traveling a half-mile in :48.75. He made his 2021 debut off nearly seven month's rest, running fourth in the Grade 2 Fort Marcy Stakes on May 1 at Belmont Park.

Brown said the $100,000 Oceanport Stakes on August 8 at Monmouth Park is among a number of potential targets.

“He's the kind of horse who benefits from a race to kind of get in form,” said Brown. “He looks fine. Not exactly sure what we're going to do with him next. Going back to Monmouth for the Oceanport is one idea. We'll also look at some other spots.”

Brown said undefeated Chilean-bred Breakpoint is nearing a North American debut. The son of Constitution is a two-time Group 1 winner in his native country and worked five furlongs in 1:00.60.

“He's getting close to his first start,” Brown said. “We're looking for a spot with him. He's very close to getting started. He seems like a steady horse in his works.”

Bradley Thoroughbreds, Iris Smith Stables, and Rigney Racing's Minaun, an allowance winner going six furlongs on April 30, went five furlongs in 1:00.90 in preparation for the $100,000 Wild Applause on June 26 at Belmont Park.

The bay sophomore daughter of Zoffany won the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes last July in her native Ireland in her start prior to her first North American engagement.

“Her form looks good. She shouldn't have any trouble with the mile. She wouldn't mind some cut in the ground,” Brown said.

Brown noted that Mike Ryan, Jeff Drown, and Team Hanley's Higher Truth will target the Grade 1, $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, first leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies, on July 10.

The bay Galileo filly broke her maiden at 1 ¼ miles on April 22 over the inner turf, defeating next-out winner Community Adjusted, and then defeated winners at the same distance on June 10.

“She's got a pair of mile-and-a-quarter wins,” Brown said. “She doesn't have any stakes credentials so she's going to have to get into the field. If she does, I think she fits with those horses.”

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