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Dylan Davis Hopes to Keep Momentum Going at Saratoga

Jockey Dylan Davis was pretty much an afterthought at the 2021 Saratoga meet, where he won 18 races and finished tied for ninth in the standings. Expect that to change this year at the Spa. Davis, though winless through the first two days of the meet, may just be the most improved rider in the sport.

The 27-year-old jockey served notice that he had reached a new level in his career when winning the Aqueduct winter meet, his first-ever riding title, with 64 wins. He was second in the Aqueduct spring meet with 18 winners, finishing one victory behind Kendrick Carmouche.

But there have been plenty of jockeys over the years who have done well at the Big A only to have to take a back seat to the many top jockeys who return from other tracks for the Belmont Spring meet, the Ortiz brothers, Joel Rosario, Luis Saez, John Velazquez, Flavien Prat. Davis turned out to be an exception to what is more or less a rule. He won 47 races at Belmont, losing out on the riding title by one win to future Hall of Famer Irad Ortiz Jr. Davis had a four-win lead over Ortiz coming into the final weekend of racing at Belmont, but Ortiz finished up with six wins over the last two days to nip Davis for the title.

“It was the best meet I've ever had,” Davis said. “I had the leading rider in the country chasing me down. I was in a good position and I did the best that I could. Unfortunately, I finished second best, by one win. Still, it felt great.”

What's been the difference?

“Everything kind of came together this year and everything started going in the right direction,” he said. “I'm definitely improving every year and building up my confidence, which trainers and owners like to see. Also, I'm building relationships with more trainers. They have more trust in me to get the job done out there. My agent is Mike Migliore (whose brother is Richard Migliore) and we've been working hard every year and there have been a lot of stepping stones for us. I've been with him for about five full years now. He's done a tremendous job. On and off the track, he's been a big supporter of mine and always points me in the right direction. He wants the best for me and he's helped me become a better communicator and more confident. He's always telling me to be confident.”

Even with the momentum he has coming off the Belmont spring meet, Davis has fairly modest expectations for Saratoga. He knows he will not contend for leading rider, not against a group of rivals that makes up the best riding colony in the U.S.

“I was ninth in the standings at Saratoga last year and one goal is to finish higher up than that,” he said. “I'm shooting for top six, and I think that is realistic. It will be a tough meet, no doubt. But if I can finish in the top six, that would be a tremendous meet for me.”

The biggest obstacle facing Davis is that he hasn't worked his way into the very top barns on the New York circuit, a problem at Belmont but an even bigger problem at Saratoga where the likes of Chad Brown and Todd Pletcher dominate. Davis has been riding since 2012 and has never ridden for Pletcher in Saratoga and has ridden just one horse there for Brown. He normally gets the bulk of his mounts from the more blue-collar stables, like Ray Handal, Dave Donk and Charlton Baker.

“I'm not sure how much new business I will get here,” he said. “It's difficult because so many trainers have relationships with established riders. To be able to compete here and win races without the elite trainers, that feels great. Mike and I, we've established a good business and have won for a lot of people. It would be very nice to ride for the top trainers, but I'm doing ok without them.”

He has made some inroads into some of the top barns of late. Hall of Famer Mark Casse gave Davis the mount on Adora (Into Mischief) in the GIII Schuylerville S. on opening day. He will also ride Boppy O (Bolt d'Oro) for Casse in Saturday's GIII Sanford S. And Christophe Clement has been using Davis more often of late. He teamed up with Clement last year to win the GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine with Mutamakina (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). The win was Davis's first and still only in a Grade I stakes.

Davis is the son of Robbie Davis, a top rider on the New York circuit in the eighties and nineties. He sister, Jackie, will also be riding at the Saratoga meet and another sister, Katie, the wife of Trevor McCarthy, was also riding in New York before giving birth to the couple's first child. Davis said his father is always there when he needs some help, but wonders if he's not too nice.

“Right now, he's telling me that I am riding great and to keep doing what I am doing because it is working,” Davis said. “I say, Dad, please tell me something, even if it is negative.' I'd love to hear that because I'm always trying to improve.”

Robbie Davis won 277 races at Saratoga, including 11 graded stakes. The list includes a pair of wins in the GI Hopeful S. Will the son eclipse his father? It looks like he's on his way.

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Background Check: Diana

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Saratoga's GI Diana S., contested at 1 1/8 miles on the lawn.

These days, the Diana is restricted to fillies and mares ages four and up. That wasn't always the case, as a number of 3-year-old fillies have won in the past. That's not the only thing that's changed: the Diana is such a fixture on the grass that it may come as a surprise to learn it was originally run on the dirt, not moving to the turf until 1974. The 84th edition will be run Saturday, but with two divisions run a few times and several mares who won the race twice–including most recently Sistercharlie (Ire) (2018-19)–there have been 78 individual winners of the Diana.

Following are the most compelling Diana winners in reverse chronological order. They haven't been reviewed by their own pedigrees or race records, but simply by what impact they have delivered through their sons and daughters.

Wonder Again (1999, Silver Hawk–Ameriflora, by Danzig): This mare produced more foals that didn't race than ones that did, but her two winners include Japanese MSW & MGSP Red Raven. An unraced daughter produced 2021-22 GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. winner Colonel Liam, who also captured the 2021 GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic S.

Starine (Fr) (1997, Mendocino–Grisonnante {Fr}, by Kaldoun {Fr}): She only had two foals: a gelded son and an unraced daughter. However, that daughter is making the most of her opportunities: she produced Irish champion Order of Australia (Ire), winner of the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Mile; Iridessa (Ire), multiple Group I winner in Ireland and England and winner of 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf; and Santa Barbara (Ire), winner of the 2021 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. and GI Beverly D. S.

Memories of Silver (1993, Silver Hawk–All My Memories, by Little Current): A Phillips family mare, like Wonder Again above, she produced four stakes winners (two graded), including Winter Memories, also a winner of the Diana and a stakes producer. Five of her six daughters have thus far produced black-type winners.

MGISW Elate has deep family ties to the Diana | Coady

Wild Applause (1981, Northern Dancer–Glowing Tribute, by Graustark): She is the dam of GISW Eastern Echo, MGSWs Roar and Yell, and additional GSW Blare of Trumpets. Her descendants include MGISW Elate, MGSW & MGISP Ironicus, MGSW On Leave and Tax, two full-brothers better known as top sires in GSW & MGISP Congrats and GSP Flatter, and several other GSWs.

Hush Dear (1978, Silent Screen–You All, by Nashua): C.V. Whitney sold this mare and his widow, Marylou, bought her daughter Dear Birdie while trying to revitalize his breeding program. The latter became a foundation mare for Marylou Whitney and was named Broodmare of the Year in 2004. Her descendants include champion and Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town, Belmont/Travers/Champagne winner Birdstone, and MGSW Bird Song.

Javamine (1973, Nijinsky II–Dusky Evening, by Tim Tam): This mare deserves a mention even though she won't live on in pedigrees. She lived only long enough to produce four foals, only two of which lived past age three. However, those two foals were MGISW Java Gold and English GSW Spicy Story. Both were sires, with the best of their combined progeny being the wonderful Eclipse champion Kona Gold, who was a gelding.

Glowing Tribute (1973, Graustark–Admiring, by Hail to Reason): In addition to producing two daughters who also won the Diana–the phenomenal Wild Applause detailed above and two-time Diana winner Glowing Honor–she also produced MGISW Hero's Honor, Kentucky Derby/Travers/Champange winner Sea Hero, GSW & GISP Mackie, and GSW Coronation Cup (who almost made it a third daughter to win the Diana). In addition to Wild Applause's wildly accomplished offspring, descendants of Glowing Tribute also include European champion Mozart (Ire) and Chilean champion Il Campione (Chi). She was named Broodmare of the Year in 1993.

MGISW Colonel Liam is out of an unraced daughter of Wonder Again | Horsephotos

Tempted (1955, Half Crown–Enchanted Eve, by Lovely Night): This two-time winner of the Diana, for whom Aqueduct's Tempted S. is named, produced only one stakes winner. However, when taking into account her daughters and granddaughters, more than 50 black-type winners trace to her. And the line is continuing; for example, she is the fifth dam of GISW Rutherienne, who won or placed in 17 graded stakes.

Searching (1952, War Admiral–Big Hurry, by Black Toney): A granddaughter of the immortal La Troienne, Searching won the Diana twice and produced multiple champion Affectionately, MSW Priceless Gem, and SW Admiring. She is granddam of the abovementioned Broodmare of the Year Glowing Tribute, as well as Horse of the Year Personality, French Horse of the Year Allez France, and the prolific top-level producer Lady Winborne. Additional Grade I winners who trace to her include the popular Lite Light and La Gueriere.

Misty Morn (1952, Princequillo–Grey Flight, by Mahmoud): Named Broodmare of the Year in 1963, her five stakes-winning foals included champion and Met Mile winner Bold Lad, champion Successor, and Test winner Bold Consort. Among her top descendants were MGISWs Dispute and Adjudicating.

Vulcania (1948, Some Chance–Vagrancy, by Sir Gallahad III {Fr}): She produced two minor black-type winners, but her daughters and granddaughters included a Broodmare of the Year and produced the likes of Horse of the Year Ferdinand and MGISW Tallahto. The latter produced two MGISW and is the granddam of Breeders' Cup winner Artie Schiller.

Busanda (1947, War Admiral–Businesslike, by Blue Larkspur): Another granddaughter of La Troienne, this mare produced Horse of the Year and four-time leading broodmare sire Buckpasser, as well as two other stakes winners. Her female-line descendants include champion Outstandingly, MGISW Polish Navy, and the wonderful La Affirmed line, responsible for (among others) recent MGISW star Maxfield.

Ouija (1947, Heliopolis–Psychist, by Psychic Bid): Epsom Derby winner Henbit and MGISW Queens Court Queen both trace to this mare.

Miss Grillo (Arg) (1942, Rolando {Arg}–Cedulilla {Arg}, by Picacero {Arg}): At first glance, this Argentinean import didn't produce much of note, but her daughters more than took up the slack. Among her descendants are European champion Meadow Court and MGISW Marquetry.

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Once Again, Chad Brown is Loaded for the Diana

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – It is pretty much impossible to overstate just how invested trainer Chad Brown is in the Diana S., the first Grade I of the Saratoga season, which will be run on Saturday.

Brown earned the first Grade I victory of his career when Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune) prevailed in 2011. He has won the race five more times, all in a row, for a stakes record six. He has entered the race for 13 consecutive years and had at least one horse in the top three for 11 straight years, a streak that ended last year.

The depth and strength of the turf fillies in Brown's stable is no secret and was made clear again this summer when he was responsible for 10 of the 14 nominations for the race. He will saddle four of the six horses that were entered, three of them owned or co-owned by Peter Brant. Brown also had four starters in 2019 when his runners swept the top three spots.

Brown's lineup for the 1 1/8-mile race Saturday is led by Brant's unbeaten Bleecker Street (Quality Road). The seven-time winner earned her first Grade I in the New York S. June 10 at 1 1/4 miles. Bleecker Street will start from post three, just to the inside of Brant and Michael Tabor's Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), who is making her third start in the U.S. Rougir was a Group 1 winner in France last year. Brant's speedy In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) drew the outside. She was most recently third to stablemate Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) in the GI Just A Game S. On the rail is Klaravich Stable's Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), winner of the GIII Lake George S. and GII Lake Placid S. at Saratoga last summer.

Brown said his crew of 4-year-old Diana runners have arrived at the race from a variety of directions.

“There are the horses that we develop from scratch, so to speak, like a Bleecker Street that we had as a baby,” Brown said. “We bought her across the street [at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga 2019 Yearling Sale for $400,000], Mr. Brant and I. She's an overachiever. When we bought her, we thought she was going to be a dirt horse. She didn't really train well on it. We started her off kind of at 'Triple A' down there between Monmouth and the Meadowlands and then she just got good. And we gave her a shot in the big leagues, and this horse is undefeated.

“Then we have some European horses to go along with her that are really good. You know, like Rougir and Technical Analysis and In Italian.”

Brown said that many of his turf stakes fillies arrive as young horses and grow in his program.

“You go through the list and they're all different types of horses,” he said. “Fluffy Socks is a homebred with a modest pedigree. She's by Slumber (GB). Bleecker Street is a horse we bought across the street. Yes, there's some European horses that we bought. Technical Analysis I bought as a yearling and broke her. In Italian was the same. Rougir was a horse Mr. Brant paid a lot of money for. It gets a little bit misconstrued in the press sometimes, like 'these guys get sent the best horses.' We develop them.”

Though he nominated Regal Glory for the Diana, Brown has a more ambitious plan for the multiple Grade I winner he has handled throughout her career. Brown trained her for her breeder, Paul Pompa, and recommended that Brant buy her at the dispersal following Pompa's death.

“Probably run against the boys in the GI Fourstardave. I have another horse for the race, Masen (GB) (Kingman {GB}). They're probably going to have to run against each other. I think at this point, Regal Glory, I think she's best at a mile, a mile and a sixteenth. I really do. My long-term target for her is the Breeders' Cup against the boys at a mile. So, I'm leaning that way, but not for certain.”

Saturday's Saratoga card also features a loaded renewal of the GIII Sanford S. for 2-year-olds. 'TDN Rising Stars' Forte (Violence) and Andiamo a Firenze (Speightstown) lead the way in the 12-horse field following sparkling debuts downstate.

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Saratoga Returns With Eventful Opening Day

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Like it was putting on a comfortable pair of shoes, racing oh-so easily slipped back into Saratoga Race Course Thursday for what turned into a warm, bright, feel-good season opener.

The 10-race program that started during a brief rain storm before playing out in sunshine, did not deliver the expected storybook type of result in the featured GIII Schuylerville S., though. Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, absent from America's oldest track for two seasons, watched Summer Promise (Uncle Mo), the 6-5 favorite, finish second to Just Cindy (Justify) in the six-furlong stake for 2-year-old fillies.

The New York Racing Association announced its paid attendance at 28,466 and the all-sources handle at $21,764,922. In 2021, the attendance was 27,760 and the handle was $21,935,534.

Lukas, 86, and his wife Laurie watched the replay several times in their clubhouse box after Summer Promise ended up 2 1/4 lengths behind the Clarkland Farm homebred.

“I didn't think that the bump at the middle of the stretch helped,” Lukas said. “But I don't think it affected us all that much. I think that she was just a little bit short. I think she needed the race. I was surprised because I trained on her pretty good. But this is a new surface, a deeper surface and I think that she needed to maybe be tighter.”

Wearing a big, white cowboy hat and aviator glasses as he sought his first Saratoga graded stakes win since Sporting Chance's (Tiznow) score in the 2017 GI Hopeful S., Lukas said the well-bred BC Stables filly just wasn't up to the challenge in her second career start and first venture into stakes company. Lukas said he was eyeing the Schuylerville even before she won her debut by five lengths on June 25 at Churchill Downs.

Lukas will be back in stakes company July 23 when his GI Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (Arrogate) returns to competition in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks.

Two races before the 104th Schuylerville, named for a small town east of Saratoga Springs, favored Tarabi (First Samurai), trained by Cherie DeVaux, won the inaugural running of the Wilton. The Wilton for 3-year-old fillies was significant and drew a fair amount of attention because it was the first mile dirt race run at the track in 30 years and the first out of a chute in 50 years.

NYRA officials decided during the winter to rebuild the Wilson Chute, which was in use from 1902 through 1972. It was torn down to make room for parking. In 1992, NYRA ran 25 mile races from a starting gate on the first turn. That experiment was scuttled after the one season because of complaints that horses starting from inner post positions had an unfair advantage.

Starting from post six in the field of seven under Javier Castellano, Tarabi sat just off the pace, took the lead inside the three-sixteenths pole and prevailed by three-quarters of a length in 1:38.53.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who saddled the runner-up Goddess of Fire (Mineshaft) and two others in the field, had no complaints.

“I thought the race went smoothly,” he said. “The fractions seemed a little slow. I wonder how accurate the time was. It seemed kind of slow for these type of fillies to be going that slow. As far as the race, the way it unfolded, it looked like a pretty fair race.”

The addition of the chute enables NYRA to schedule dirt races as a distance between seven furlongs and 1 1/8 miles and run one-mile turf races moved to the main track at the same distance.

“Mile and an eighth races, we've had a lot of success there,” Pletcher said. “I'm not going to judge it so soon. I didn't see a huge need for it, but maybe it will turn out to be a good thing. We'll see.”

During and after the fifth race, “Bones” Lafaro of Milton, NY, a small town in the Hudson Valley near Poughkeepsie, was the ringleader of a raucous crowd of approximately 50 friends and relatives who saluted their late friend, Freddy Butwell, with the Freddy B. Memorial Race.

“Me and Freddie were elementary school friends. High school friends. We grew up together and played basketball and other sports together,” Lofaro said. “Freddie passed away from complications of COVID this past year. He would always invite me to the track when he had a place up here. For the last six, seven years I'd come up. He loved to be here. I thought it was just a great way to repay him. His wife was here today. We had a great time. This is a great experience. He loved Saratoga.”

As an added bonus, Lofaro said that Butwell was a friend of a co-breeder of the winning horse, the favorite Majority Partner (Unified), trained by Jeremiah Englehart. Majority Partner paid $5.60 to win and the way the Freddy B. Memorial Race crew celebrated, it was clear that many of them had tickets on the winner.

Lofaro said that he and Butwell often came to Saratoga for opening days and that it was especially nice that the memorial race was held on the first day of the season.

Though he acknowledged being disappointed with the outcome of the Schuylerville, Lukas said he enjoyed being back at Saratoga with a big, loud crowd.

“It was wonderful,” he said. “Racing needs this enthusiasm and excitement and it only happens here. Keeneland, here and Del Mar are the racetracks where you get some kind of atmosphere. It felt like the old times.”

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