Bell’s The One Heads Field Of Nine For Honorable Miss At Saratoga

Lothenbach Stables' Bell's the One, a multiple graded-stakes winning millionaire, leads a talented field of nine in Wednesday's $200,000 Grade 2 Honorable Miss, a six-furlong sprint for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Trained by Neil Pessin, Bell's the One, who boasts a record of 18-8-3-2, captured the 2020 Grade 1 Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs by a nose over Serengeti Empress. Her graded stakes ledger also includes scores in the 2019 Grade 2 Raven Run at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., and last year's Grade 3 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

The 5-year-old Majesticperfection bay enters from a three-quarter length score in the Roxelana under returning rider Corey Lanerie on June 19 at Churchill.

“I'm really not scared of any sprint filly in the country right now, to be honest,” Pessin said. “It's just a question of if she runs her race. If she does, she's going to be tough to beat no matter who shows up. I respect them all, but I don't fear any of them. I'm very confident in my filly's abilities.”

Bell's the One rated closer to the pace last out in the 6 1/2-furlong Roxelana before popping outside rivals to secure the win.

“I'm trying to get her a little more that way, so we're not so pace dependent,” Pessin said. “In her last race, they didn't go fast early but we weren't far off of it. She was stuck in between horses – there were three across the track – and Corey let her suck back a little bit so she could get to the outside. When she turned for home, she just kicked on. She won by three-quarters, but it was a handy three-quarters.”

Bell's the One launched her current campaign with a narrow loss to Kimari in the Grade 1 Madison on April 3 at Keeneland ahead of a fourth-place finish in her title defense in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff at Churchill in May.

“Kimari beat us at Keeneland and it was my mare's first out of the year,” Pessin said. “We also got stuck on the inside and didn't get to bounce outside. If we'd got outside, I think we'd have beat her that day.”

Bell's the One breezed a bullet half-mile in :47 flat on July 20 over the Arlington Park synthetic and will arrive in Saratoga on Sunday.

“It was an OK work. She went a little faster in the first part than what I wanted,” Pessin said. “She finished good and did it fairly handily. It didn't take a lot out of her. Fitness-wise, I don't have any issues. It's just a matter of if she handles the shipping and likes the track.”

Lanerie retains the mount from the outermost post 9.

“He knows her well and rode her excellent last time,” Pessin said.

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Godolphin homebred Lake Avenue enters in search of her first graded stakes win since the 2019 Grade 2 Demoiselle in the final start of her 2-year-old campaign.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, the 4-year-old Tapit chestnut was winless in four starts last year but has enjoyed a resurgence in 2021, posting wins in an optional claimer at Gulfstream in February ahead of a 6 3/4-length score in the Heavenly Prize Invitational in March at the Big A.

Last out, Lake Avenue made the lead at the stretch call of the Grade 3 Bed o' Roses but could not stave off Estilo Talentoso, who prevailed by a neck in the seven-furlong sprint on a sloppy Belmont main track on June 4.

Junior Alvarado will pilot Lake Avenue from post 4.

Dennis Narlinger's graded-stakes-placed Sadie Lady, a 5-year-old New York-bred daughter of Freud, boasts a record of 20-8-1-3 with purse earnings of $406,322.

The speedy mare won the open-company Correction in her seasonal debut at Aqueduct in March ahead of a strong second in the Grade 3 Vagrancy on May 8 at Belmont. Last out, Sadie Lady went gate-to-wire in the six-furlong Dancin Renee for state-breds.

Trainer Rob Atras said Sadie Lady, who breezed a half-mile in :49.26 Friday on the Saratoga main track, may consider waiting for the state-bred Union Avenue Handicap on August 19.

“We breezed her this morning and she went really well. It was just an easy half with a nice little gallop out,” Atras said. “We're probable to run but there's also a New York-bred stake in just over three weeks, so we'll talk it over with the owner.”

Atras said Sadie Lady is at her best on the engine.

“She runs her top race when she can get out front and dictate it a little bit,” Atras said.

Jose Ortiz retains the mount from post 3.

Almost Heaven Stables' Honey I'm Good enters from a neck win in the Regret, contested at six furlongs over a muddy Monmouth Park main track on July 3.

Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the 5-year-old Shackleford mare was a gate-to-wire winner of the six-furlong Harmony Lodge over muddy going at Belmont last June.

Honey I'm Good will emerge from post 7 under Ricardo Santana, Jr.

Truth Hurts, trained and co-owned by Chad Summers with J Stables, added blinkers and romped to a 5 3/4-length score last out under Luis Saez in the off-the-turf Perfect Sting at one mile over a sloppy and sealed Belmont main track on July 3.

The 4-year-old Ontario-bred daughter of Tonalist tried her luck at longer distances last season, including a third in the 1 1/16-mile Bison City at Woodbine.

Truth Hurts breezed a half-mile in :48.54 on July 20 on the Saratoga main track under Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Summers said he is cautiously optimistic after her last-out win.

“I think it was good for her. The first time with blinkers on she was more aggressive,” Summers said. “She came out of the gate good and sat a perfect trip. I'm proud of how she finished up and she galloped out strong. She came out of the race like nothing. I know we'll be a big price on the board, but she's doing so well. Irad came out and breezed her the other day. He liked her and it gives me a lot of confidence going into Wednesday.”

Truth Hurts, who graduated at first asking sprinting 6 1/2-furlongs in December 2019 at the Big A, will shorten up to six furlongs for the first time.

“I think seven [furlongs] is probably her game, but she can go six,” Summers said. “With Sadie Lady and a few of the others with speed in there, I'm hoping we can work out a good trip.”

Rounding out a competitive field are Ain't No Elmers [post 1, Adam Beschizza], Reagan's Edge [post 2, Jose Lezcano], Don't Call Me Mary [post 6, Saez], and Miss Mosaic [post 8, Manny Franco].

The Honorable Miss is slated as Race 9 on Wednesday's 10-race card. First post is 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.

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Caravel Passes Robin Sparkles In Stretch To Win Caress At Saratoga

In her last start with breeder and part-owner Elizabeth Merryman as trainer, Caravel bided her time behind front-running Robin Sparkles, went to the outside around the final turn, and then sprinted down the center of the Saratoga turf course to win the Grade 3 Caress Stakes. The win brings Pennsylvania's reigning Horse of the Year to three victories in four starts in 2021.

Under jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., Caravel broke well, settling in behind Robin Sparkles and Jakarta, who was running for only purse money after an inadvertent scratch Saturday morning, as the field ran down the backstretch at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Robin Sparkles, with Jose Ortiz in the saddle, held a length and a half lead going in the final turn, as Irad took Caravel to the outside for her stretch run.

With Jakarta in second on the rail, Robin Sparkles maintained her front runner status through the first part of the stretch, with Caravel sprinting down the stretch to her outside. In the race's final yards, Caravel passed Robin Sparkles to take over the lead and draw away to win by two and a half lengths. Robin Sparkles held on for third behind a surging In Good Spirits, who was second. The final time for the 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:02.38.

Tass, Flower Point, and Jakarta rounded out the field. Caravel paid $4.00, $2.70, and $2.10. In Good Spirits paid $5.70 and $2.80. Robin Sparkles paid $2.10.

Find this race's chart here.

The Mizzen Mast filly went into the G3 turf sprint off of victories in the Goldwood at Monmouth Park and the Very One at Pimlico Race Course, performances that led Bobby Flay to purchase a majority interest in Caravel from Merryman. From here, Caravel will join the barn of trainer Graham Motion.

“Bobby Flay now owns a majority interest in her and we made a plan when he was interested in buying to make that change,” Merryman said after the Caress. “That was something I was in agreement with from the time of the sale of the majority of her. Graham is in the next barn to me at Fair Hill [in Maryland]. It'll all be good.”

“Hopefully, the goal is the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint and Graham has so much experience going that route. It seemed like a really smart thing to do from my perspective as well. Not that I don't think I could handle it, but with the change in the ownership, Graham has a system that works great and he's been through all that. It'll be a good way to go. I'll still own part of her.”

“The whole turn, she was on the bridle waiting for the time to go.” Irad Ortiz, Jr. told the NYRA Press Office after the race. “I wanted to make sure to go around the horses like she did last time at Monmouth [winning the Goldwood on June 25]. I was able to get in the clear and as soon as I asked, she gave me a really good kick – a good turn-of-foot.”

Bred in Pennsylvania, Caravel is a 4-year-old gray filly by Mizzen Mast out of Congrats mare Zeezee Zoomzoom. With this victory in the G3 Caress, Caravel has seven wins in nine lifetime starts, for career earnings of $367,872.

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Brown Earns Third Straight Lake George with Technical Analysis

It was a different year, but the same result with Chad Brown earning his third consecutive win–and fifth overall–with Klaravich Stables' Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in Friday's GIII Lake George S. at Saratoga. In fairness, Brown came into the race with a significant advantage, saddling four of the 10 runners, including GSW Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}), Amy C (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) and Minaun (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}).

“Going into this race, I thought these four horses were even,” admitted Brown. “I couldn't have picked between them..I hope that some of my loyal fans here that have been losing the first week got some money back.”

However, despite holding a robust hand for the eight-furlong turf test for sophomore fillies, it was a Todd Pletcher runner–

GII Appalachian S. scorer Jouster (Noble Mission {GB})–who went off the 5-2 choice ahead of Technical Analysis, who was somewhat overlooked at 7-1. The favorite assumed her customary place at the head of affairs, reeling off opening fractions of :23.53 and :47.93 as the eager Irish bred–accompanied by regular partner Jose Ortiz–was positioned in a close-up third. Coming off the far turn, Luis Saez kept Jouster to the inside as Technical Analysis assumed second, about two lengths behind the leader. Set loose turning for home, Technical Analysis responded to right-handed encouragement, overtaking Jouster midstretch and driving clear late to score by 1 1/4 lengths over her closing stablemate, Fluffy Socks. Tobys Heart (Jack Milton) rounded out the trifecta. Jouster faded to eighth.

“I think she always wanted to do this–run a mile,” explained Ortiz. “We were trying to stretch her out being a 3-year-old for the [GI] Belmont Oaks [July 10]. I told Chad, and he agreed with me, at this time it's probably not her thing and we need to cut her back. She's too antsy early and pulls a lot.”

Ortiz continued, “Today, cutting back to a mile, I could let her run to the first turn and she came back to me nicely. She relaxed very well behind the horses and I knew it was just a matter of time. I knew we were going to separate and that's what I wanted. I wanted Jouster not to walk in front of me.”

Added Brown, “From the first turn where she was pulling a little bit, [Ortiz] let her have her head exiting the first turn when he dropped in, looked behind, and got a nice spot covered up. Finally, we had [Navratilova] to our outside and he waited for that horse to get fatigued before he moved outside cleanly. I thought it was a really smart move. I was very appreciative for his ride.”

Technical Analysis made a mild bid to be third in her career debut going 8 1/2 furlongs over Belmont's yielding turf Nov. 1, but bounced back next time to score while negotiating the same distance at the Big A Nov. 29. Back in the winner's circle facing optional claiming company at Belmont Apr. 29, she faded to sixth in her latest going nine panels in the GIII Wonder Again S. in Elmont June 3.

“The cutback helped a lot,” explained Brown. “You know you're going to get more pace with the cutback and that's really what she needed to get her off the bridle down the backstretch where there's a good strong pace to run at. She'll pull on a slow pace. That was part of the thinking of cutting her back.”

“We always have thought of her as one of our better horses in this division last year. It's nice to see her achieving some of those goals we set forth over the winter when we mapped out her campaign.”

Pedigree Notes:

With Friday's victory, Technical Analysis became the 35th black-type winner and 19th graded/group winner for her sire Kingman, who stands at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket. The 4-year-old filly, who is Sealife's first foal, also has a year younger brother by Shamardal and a yearling sister by Pivotal (GB). This represents the family of Australian champion stayer and G1 Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}).

Friday, Saratoga
LAKE GEORGE S.-GIII, $150,000, Saratoga, 7-23, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:36.61, fm.
1–TECHNICAL ANALYSIS (IRE), 120, f, 3, by Kingman (GB)
              1st Dam: Sealife (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
              2nd Dam: Bitooh (GB), by Diktat (GB)
              3rd Dam: Sitara (GB), by Salse
   1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. (200,000gns
Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Rabbah
Bloodstock Limited (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Jose L. Ortiz.
$82,500. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-1, $188,200. Werk Nick
   Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Fluffy Socks, 120, f, 3, Slumber (GB)–Breakfast Time, by
Kitten's Joy. O/B-Head Of Plains Partners (KY); T-Chad C.
Brown. $30,000.
3–Tobys Heart, 122, f, 3, Jack Milton–Pick of the Pack, by Lil's
Lad. ($5,500 Ylg '19 FTKOCT; $45,000 2yo '20 OBSMAR).
O-Hamilton, Terry, Lynch, Brian A. and Barber, Gary;
B-Trackside Farm (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch. $18,000.
   'TDN Rising Star'
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 7.80, 12.90, 5.60.
Also Ran: Runaway Rumour, Minaun (Ire), Amy C (GB), Demodog, Jouster, Navratilova. Scratched: Invincible Gal (GB). Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

 

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Jose Ortiz’ Perfect Ride Helps Technical Analysis Upset Lake George; Brown Goes 1-2

With four of the nine entrants in Friday's $150,000, Grade 3 Lake George Stakes at Saratoga, trainer Chad Brown still managed to surprise bettors with a 7-1 winner in Technical Analysis. He also sent out 12-1 second-place finisher Fluffy Socks. Brown sent out his third straight Lake George winner, and fifth overall.

Klaravich Stable's Technical Analysis was given a perfect ride by jockey Jose Ortiz, pushing the frontrunning favorite along early and getting the first jump on her late to win by about 1 1/2 lengths. The 3-year-old Kingman filly, now a three-time winner from five lifetime starts, completed the mile over the firm turf in 1:36.61.

The 5-2 favorite at post time, frontrunning Jouster broke on top as expected under Luis Saez. but Ortiz hounded him early with Technical Analysis. Navratilova was also up close heading into the clubhouse turn.

After pressing Jouster through a first quarter in :23.53, Ortiz took a strong hold on Technical Analysis to drop back to third at the rail behind Navratilova. Jouster pulled away to lead by almost three lengths down the backstretch, marking the half-mile in :47.93, but Ortiz was riding confidently after he was able to settle Technical Analysis off the bridle.

Rounding the far turn, Ortiz let Technical Analysis move up into contention, then he angled out into the stretch and gave the filly her cue. He managed to get the jump on his rivals and Technical Analysis pulled away quickly, holding on late to win by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire.

Stablemate Fluffy Socks closed from last to be second, while Tobys Heart filled out the trifecta. Runaway Rumor finished fourth.

Bred in Ireland by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, Technical Analysis is out of the winning Sea the Stars mare Sealife. Seth Klarman gave $258,109 for the filly at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling sale. Third on debut, Technical Analysis broke her maiden at second asking. After a five-month break the filly came right back to win an allowance race at Belmont, but a tough trip over “good” turf in the G3 Wonder Again saw her fade to finish sixth.

Overall, Technical Analysis has won three of her five career starts for earnings just shy of $200,000.

“Technical Analysis was in a very good spot up front,” Brown said after the race. “It looked like some of my horses in the rear might not be firing, so it was really up to her at that point and I thought Jose [Ortiz] gave her an outstanding ride.

“From the first turn where she was pulling a little bit, he let her have her head to exiting the first turn when he dropped in, looked behind, and got a nice spot covered up. Finally, we had a horse to our outside and he waited for that horse to get fatigued before he moved outside cleanly. I thought it was a really smart move. I was very appreciative for his ride.

“Going into this race, I thought these four horses were even. I couldn't have picked between them. She was 9-1 when they loaded in the gate. I hope that some of my loyal fans here that have been losing the first week got some money back.

“The cutback helped a lot. You know you're going to get more pace with the cutback and that's really what she needed to get her off the bridle down the backstretch where there's a good strong pace to run at. She'll pull on a slow pace. That was part of the thinking of cutting her back. We always have thought of her as one of our better horses in this division last year. It's nice to see her achieving some of those goals we set forth over the winter when we mapped out her campaign.”

 “I think she always wanted to do this – run a mile,” said Ortiz. “We were trying to stretch her out being a 3-year-old for the Belmont Oaks. I told Chad, and he agreed with me, at this time it's probably not her thing and we need to cut her back. She's too antsy early and pulls a lot.

“Today, cutting back to a mile, I could let her run to the first turn and she came back to me nicely. She relaxed very well behind the horses and I knew it was just a matter of time. I knew we were going to separate and that's what I wanted. I wanted Jouster [No. 5] not to walk in front of me.”

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