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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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Pletcher Targets Suburban For Happy Saver, Haskell For Following Sea

Todd Pletcher worked a number of his top horses over the weekend, including undefeated Happy Saver who breezed in company with Country Grammer Sunday in preparation for Saturday's $400,000 10-furlong Grade 2 Suburban Stakes for 4-year-olds and up on Saturday, July 3 at Belmont Park in Elmont, Ny.

Belmont's Independence Day weekend slate runs July 3 through Monday, July 5, offering six stakes races including a pair of Breeders' Cup Win and You're In qualifiers led by the Grade 2 Suburban [Classic] and the $250,000 Grade 2 John A. Nerud [Sprint], which will see 4-year-olds and up contest at seven furlongs on July 4.

The holiday weekend kicks off July 3 with the $100,000 Perfect Sting Stakes and continues on July 4 with the $100,000 Manila Stakes, while the $250,000 Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes anchors a Monday, July 5 card that also offers the $150,000 Grand Couturier Stakes.

Wertheimer and Frere's Happy Saver, a 4-year-old Super Saver chestnut, completed his sophomore season by making the grade in the 10-furlong Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup with a three-quarter length win over Suburban-rival Mystic Guide in October at Belmont Park.

Happy Saver made his seasonal debut a winning one last out with a one-length score in an optional-claiming mile on May 28 on Big Sandy. At 7:45 a.m. Sunday, a rail-riding Happy Saver worked a half-mile in company with fellow Suburban contender Country Grammer in :49.26 on the Belmont dirt training track.

“I thought it was a good work from both. Happy Saver was just a little bit better at the end of the gallop out, but they both worked well,” said Pletcher. “We'll see how they bounce out of it. I'll talk to Elliott [Walden] at WinStar and talk about the Suburban potentially for Country Grammer. We'll firm that up tomorrow.”

Pletcher said Happy Saver's previous work – five-eighths in :59.40 on the dirt training track in company with Repole Stable and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Moretti – was also impressive.

“We gave him a really solid five-eighths work last week with a big gallop out; that was the one we were looking for,” said Pletcher. “He is coming off just the one start and we're stretching him out to a mile and a quarter, so we wanted to get a good one into him last week.”

Moretti, who is also targeting the Suburban, worked a half-mile in 48.75 Saturday on the Belmont dirt training track.

“We breezed Moretti yesterday, and I think we're on target with him, so we could have as many as three in there,” said Pletcher.

A 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro, out of the Grade 1-winning Concerto mare Rigoletta, Moretti is a half-brother to 2017 Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-winner Battle of Midway.

Last week, WinStar Farm's Country Grammer worked a half-mile in :49.05 on June 21 in company with Mahaamel on the Belmont training track.

Country Grammer, a 4-year-old Tonalist bay, captured the Grade 1 Gold Cup last out on May 31 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. He was recently transferred to Pletcher.

Pletcher said the change of work partners for Country Grammer was a matter of timing.

“I didn't want to work him too quickly after arriving and I wanted to space him out to get there, so that's just the way it worked out from the time he arrived,” said Pletcher.

In trying to separate a number of his top sophomores, Pletcher said Shadwell Stable's Mahaamel, an Into Mischief colt bred in Kentucky by Clarkland Farm, will target next Monday's one-turn mile G3 Dwyer, while Spendthrift Farm's Following Sea, a Runhappy colt, is pointed to the nine-furlong $1 million Grade 1 Haskell Invitational on July 17 at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J.

“I think we'll go in the Dwyer with Mahaamel. He's going to breeze tomorrow and assuming we're happy with that, we'll go to the Dwyer with him,” said Pletcher. “I spoke to Ned Toffey at Spendthrift and we've decided we'll go to the Haskell with Following Sea.”

A $700,000 purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Mahaamel earned a 99 Beyer with the addition of blinkers in his second-out graduation in a seven-furlong maiden special weight on June 4 at Belmont.

Following Sea earned a career-best 100 Beyer winning a 6 ½-furlong allowance sprint against older horses by 6 1/2-lengths on June 3 on Big Sandy.

Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stables' multiple Grade 1-winning 5-year-old Mind Control, recently transferred to Pletcher, worked a half-mile in :48.06 Sunday on the Belmont dirt training track in preparation for the John A. Nerud Stakes.

“He's been a terrific work horse since he came in,” said Pletcher. “We've been targeting this race for a while and he looks good. He's proven he's a really nice horse and he's trained the way you'd expect for a horse with his credentials. He seems like he's doing really well.”

Mind Control, a five-time graded-stakes winner for his former trainer Gregg Sacco, posted both of his Grade 1 wins at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, Ny., capturing the 2018 Hopeful Stakes as a juvenile and added the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes to conclude his sophomore season.

Pletcher said a good result in the Nerud could propel Mind Control to another Grade 1 engagement at Saratoga, with the $600,000 Forego Stakes, a seven-furlong test for older horses on August 28, a possibility.

“We'll see how he does in here, but something like the Forego could be on the radar,” said Pletcher.

Pletcher said Donegal Racing's Shamrocket, a 4-year-old Tonalist colt, could return in the $150,000 Grand Couturier Stakes, a 12-furlong Widener turf test for older horses on July 5 at Belmont. Also under consideration is the 11-furlong Grade 1 United Nations on July 17 at Monmouth Park.

“The Grand Couturier is a possibility,” said Pletcher. “He'll work tomorrow. We've kicked around the United Nations a little bit or even an allowance race at Saratoga.”

Two starts back, Shamrocket closed to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Man o' War Stakes on May 8 at Belmont Park and returned last out to win a 10-furlong turf allowance by a neck on June 11 on the same course.

Repole Stable, Phipps Stable, and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One breezed five-eighths in 1:01.90 Friday on the Belmont dirt training track.

The Union Rags chestnut, who finished second in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino on April 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York, Ny., finished 18th last out in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Pletcher said Dynamic One could point to the $120,000 Curlin Stakes, a nine-furlong test for sophomores on July 30 at Saratoga.

“He'll either go to an allowance race or the Curlin,” said Pletcher. “We gave him a little bit of time after the Derby and he's done really well physically and put on some weight. We've freshened him up with a couple of races at Saratoga in mind.”

St. Elias Stable's graded stakes winner Dr Post added blinkers for a half-mile breeze Friday in :49.42 on the Belmont dirt training track.

The Quality Road colt captured the Grade 3 Westchester in his seasonal debut on May 1 at Belmont and finished fifth last out in the Grade 1 Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap on June 5.

“We put blinkers on him and I liked the response we got. I'm not sure where his next start will be, but it will be with the addition of blinkers,” said Pletcher.

Dr Post tracked a moderate pace from fifth in the Met Mile but wasn't able to make up ground in the stretch run as a more prominent Silver State pounced to a one-length score.

“He got too far back, and, for a race on paper that you thought would have a lot of pace, it never really developed,” said Pletcher. “He was starting to close into a pace-less race, but it just didn't work out.

“I've had blinkers in mind for a little while,” added Pletcher. “But when he won the Westchester off the layoff, I didn't want to make an equipment change. Now we can make that move.”

Pletcher saddled a pair of contenders in Con Lima and Jouster in the nine-furlong Grade 3 Wonder Again Stakes for sophomore fillies on June 3 on the Belmont turf, a key prep for the 10-furlong $700,000 Grade 1 Belmont Oaks, the first leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies on July 10.

Although sent to post as the longer price at 8-1, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Del Toro, Eric Nikolaus, and Troy Johnson's Con Lima prevailed by a half-length, while the pacesetting Jouster settled for fourth for owners Starlight Racing and Glen Hill Farm.

Pletcher said the experienced Con Lima, who boasts a record of 11-6-4-0 with purse earnings of $379,865, showed more than enough to start the first leg of the Turf Triple.

“She's ultra-consistent. She shows up and runs hard every time,” said Pletcher. “I thought she handled the mile and an eighth really well and it gives us optimism that she'll handle the mile and a quarter.”

Pletcher said Jouster, who captured the one-mile Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes on April 3 at Keeneland, will point to the one-mile $150,000 Grade 3 Lake George Stakes on July 23 at Saratoga.

“She'll go the Lake George. She didn't quite see out the mile and an eighth, so we'll focus on shorter races,” said Pletcher. “That's why we wanted to go in the Wonder Again, to see if maybe we could stretch her out for these lucrative races at longer distances, but I think she's best at a mile.”

Lawana and Robert Low's Sweet Melania, a 4-year-old American Pharoah chestnut, breezed a half-mile in :50.97 on the Oklahoma training turf at Saratoga on Friday.

The multiple graded stakes winner captured last year's Grade 3 Wonder Again but has not raced since finishing last-of-9 in the License Fee Stakes on April 30 at Belmont.

Pletcher said Sweet Melania is under consideration for Saturday's $100,000 Perfect Sting Stakes, a one-mile Widener turf test for older fillies and mares.

“I've not firmly decided yet. I'm looking to see what options I have at Saratoga with her,” said Pletcher.

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Pletcher Double Tough in Wonder Again

Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher offers a two-pronged attack–Con Lima (Commisioner) and Jouster (Noble Mission {GB})–in Thursday's GIII Wonder Again S. at Belmont. Drawing the two hole in the nine-furlong event, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Del Toro, Eric Nikolaus and Troy Johnson's Con Lima will attempt to collect her fourth stakes victory of the season after placing in a pair of blakc-type tests last term. The Texas-bred kicked off 2021 with a score in Gulfstream's one-mile Ginger Brew S. Jan. 2 before finishing runner-up to White Frost (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the GIII Sweetest Chant S. in Hallandale Jan. 30. Second across the wire but promoted to first via the disqualification of Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}) in the GIII Herecomesthebride S. Feb. 27, she tired to fourth while trying the dirt in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks Mar. 27 but rebounded to win when returning to the sod for the May 1 Honey Ryder S.

“She trains and runs consistently well,” said Pletcher. “She's better on the turf, but handles dirt OK, also. We'll see how she handles the mile and an eighth and how it all plays out for her.”

Jouster, campaigned by Starlight Racing and Glen Hill Farm, returns to the Empire State fresh off a victory in Keeneland's GII Appalachian S. Apr. 3. Earlier this season, she won a pair of 8 1/2-furlong tests at Gulfstream before getting nosed out in Tampa's Florida Oaks Mar. 6.

“She's a naturally fast filly and it seems like she's starting to settle a bit,” said Pletcher. “It's sort of a pivotal race for us in terms of which direction we go with her. If she can handle a mile and an eighth, we may look at some of those races that are a little longer. If not, we'll cut back in distance. We're eager to find out how she does.”

Jockey Luis Saez will ride Jouster, who exits from Post 5.

Also offering a pair of runners for this renewal is Chad Brown, who saddles Head of Plains Partners' Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}) and Klaravich Stables' Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Victorious in the Selima S. last fall, Fluffy Socks rounded out the season with a victory in Del Mar's GIII Jimmy Durante S. before returning this term with a second in Aqueduct's Memories of Silver S. Apr. 18.

“She's doing really well,” said Brown who will attempt to win his fourth Wonder Again following scores by Lady Eli (2015), New Money Honey (2017), and Cambier Parc (2019). “After she won late last year at Del Mar, we tucked her away for a little bit and just planned on focusing on this turf series for 3-year-old fillies. She doesn't seem to have any distance limitations–longer the better–and a real, true mile and a quarter filly. When you look at the top and bottom of her pedigree, it fits, and she's coming in really well.”

Lightly-raced Technical Analysis debuted with a third at Belmont in November before winning her next two, including the most recent going 8 1/2 panels in an optional claimer here Apr. 29.

“I keep looking at that [damsire] Sea The Stars and thinking, even though she's been keen in her races, she's a beautiful, big, scopey horse and, if we can keep working with her and Jose [Ortiz] to get her to settle a little bit, she'll have no problem with the distance,” said Brown.

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