saratoga | Horse Racing Free Tips

Woody Stephens Top Four Return in Jerkens

Four out of the five runners from the GI Woody Stephens S., topped by winner No Parole (Violence), will face off again Saturday in a loaded renewal of the GI H. Allen Jerkens S. at Saratoga. ‘TDN Rising Star’ No Parole won his first three races against fellow LA-breds by a combined 34 lengths. Facing defeat for the first time when trying two turns in the GII Rebel S. Mar. 14, the bay returned to the winner’s circle when cut back to six panels in an Oaklawn optional claimer Apr. 24 and was last seen scoring a decisive victory in the Woody June 20.

Fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ Echo Town (Speightstown) captured a Churchill optional claimer May 25 prior to a runner-up effort in the Woody Stephens. The third-place finisher in that test, Shoplifted (Into Mischief), is also a ‘TDN Rising Star’ and winner of the Springboard Mile S. at the end of last year. Also exiting the Woody Stephens is fourth-place finisher Mischevious Alex (Into Mischief), winner of the GIII Swale S. Feb. 1 and GIII Gotham S. Mar. 7.

Eight Rings (Empire Maker) looks to return to his juvenile form in this test. Winner of the GI American Pharoah S. last term, the ‘TDN Rising Star’ could only manage sixth in the GI TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile S. Nov. 1 and was fifth in his seasonal bow in Oaklawn’s Bachelor S. last time Apr. 25.

Tap It To Win (Tapit) should relish this cut back in trip. Capturing a six-panel event at Gulfstream May 9, the bay wired the field when stretched to 1 1/16 miles at Belmont June 4 and was wheeled back just 16 days later in the nine-furlong GI Belmont S., where he faded to fifth after setting the pace.

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‘Bisou’ Seeks to Defend Personal Ensign Title

Champion Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute) will attempt to successfully defend her title in Saturday’s GI Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga. Winner of seven of eight starts last year, including three Grade Is, the bay followed her win in this event with a facile score in the GI Beldame S. at Belmont in September. She suffered her sole loss last season in the GI Breeders’ Cup Distaff Nov. 2, but had still done more than enough to secure the Eclipse Award as top older mare. Running last most of the way in the $20-million Saudi Cup Feb. 29, the dark bay made a bold late run up the fence to finish a valiant second behind champion Maximum Security (New Year’s Day). Midnight Bisou returned to winning ways last out in the GII Fleur de Lis H. at Churchill Downs June 27.

Grade II winner Point of Honor (Curlin) finished second in both the GI CCA Oaks and GI Alabama S. at the Spa last summer. Kicking off this term with a second at Tampa Mar. 7, the chestnut was third in the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 18 and rallied to be second by a nose behind She’s a Julie (Elusive Quality) in Belmont’s GI Ogden Phipps S. June 13.

GIII Dowager S. victress Vexatious (Giant’s Causeway) seeks her first victory since taking the 2018 renewal of that test. Off the board in an Apr. 30 allowance at Oaklawn, the bay was third in a June 6 test at Churchill and was best of the rest when second to champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) in Belmont’s GII Ruffian S. July 11.

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Orlando Noda Off To A Strong Start Versus ‘Tough’ Competition At Saratoga Meet

When Orlando Noda came to Saratoga as a trainer for the first time last year, he quickly got his first victory with T Loves a Fight [who is entered in Thursday's John Morrissey] in an allowance race. That followed with two more winners and three other in-the-money finishes from nine starters at the meet.

Within the first 10 days of the current Saratoga meet, Noda has already won three races from seven starters, which included maiden winner First Line and going-away allowance winner Danny California. Both horses are owned by him and his brother Jonathan under the nom de course Noda Brothers.

“We wanted to put them where they could win,” Noda said. “We all hope for the best. The competition is tough, but you have to place them aggressively. As long as they are training good and eating good, they can run. I would like to accomplish six wins this meet. That's been the goal.”

Noda is currently working with 18 horses at Saratoga as he continues to grow his stable. However, he will be the first to admit it's not easy.

“We're growing,” he said. “Slowly and surely, I think people are noticing us. People are sending me horses. Everyone thinks that we can claim a horse for $10,000 and become [T Likes to Fight], but it's not that easy. Realistically, it is seven days a week. There is no time off. The horses have to eat and they need beds. We have to do the best possible job and treat every horse as if they are a stakes horse.”

One of the horses that Noda is considering for the stakes level is First Line, who earned a 90 Beyer for his breakthrough score Wednesday in a nine-furlong maiden. The First Samurai gelding, bred in Kentucky by Sather Family, is nominated for the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers on August 8.

The 3-year-old gelding fought Hometown through the stretch to win his first start by a neck under leading rider Jose Ortiz. Noda said he plans to make a decision by Tuesday, the day before the Travers entry is drawn.

“He came out of that race in good shape,” Noda said. “He fought a mile and an eighth through the wire. As long as he tells me that he's ready to fire, I'm not one to hold back. I'll make a decision the day before entries. I think the horse shows talent. He is game on the track. He has to mature in each race.”

Noda said he may also consider the Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy on September 5 – another race for 3-year-olds going 1 1/8 miles – for First Line.

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Point Of Honor ‘Deserves A Shot’ Against Midnight Bisou In Personal Ensign

Proud as he is of the way Point of Honor performed last summer at Saratoga, finishing second in both the Grade 1 Alabama and Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks, trainer George Weaver is hoping for a little better this year.

“She ran big here last year, but she got beat,” Weaver said. “Hopefully, she doesn't get beat this time.”

The task will be a difficult one, as Point of Honor will line up against champion Midnight Bisou and four others in Saturday's Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign presented by NYRA Bets. The 1 1/8-mile event for older fillies and mares is the first of five stakes, four graded including three Grade 1s, worth $2 million in purses on a 12-race Whitney Day program.

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Stetson Racing's Point of Honor won the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan last spring at Pimlico Race Course prior to her Saratoga runs, and did not race back until finishing second as the favorite in a seven-furlong handicap in March at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 4-year-old daughter of Hall of Famer Curlin overcame a slow start to run third in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom on April 18 at Oaklawn Park, and most recently came up a nose shy of winner She's a Julie in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on June 13 at Belmont Park. Both races are contested at 1 1/16 miles.

“I think she's a better filly at 4. I think she's filled out and she's a stronger filly. Her races have all been good this year, though we're still waiting to get that first win,” Weaver said. “It's a tough assignment on Saturday but she deserves a shot at it as much as anybody in there.”

Point of Honor drew far outside in the field of six, while Midnight Bisou will break from post 3 in defense of her 2019 Personal Ensign victory, which came by a nose over Elate with She's a Julie third.

“Midnight Bisou is the champ. If you're trying to pick the horses to run against you wouldn't pick her,” Weaver said, “But, we're here and she's doing well and she deserves a shot at it so we'll see what happens.”

Hall of Famer Javier Castellano, aboard for seven of Point of Honor's nine races including both Saratoga starts and the Black-Eyed Susan, has the return call Saturday.

Weaver also said R.A. Hill Stable and Gatsas Stables' Vekoma, impressive last out winner of the Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile on July 4 at Belmont, is doing well and expected to make his next start in the Grade 1, $300,000 Forego on August 29 at Saratoga.

Vekoma has yet to return to the work tab since the Met Mile, a front-running 1 ¼-length triumph that extended his win streak to three races and came 28 days after a 7 ¼-length romp in the Grade 1 Runhappy Carter Handicap which, like the Forego, is contested at seven furlongs.

“I was on the fence in running back in the Met Mile after four weeks off the big race in the Carter, and following the Met Mile I was not looking to come back in four or five weeks,” Weaver said. “We're trying to make it to the Breeders' Cup and the Forego is the most logical next spot.

“So far, everything's looking good and we're looking forward to getting him back to the races,” Weaver said. “He's always been a good horse. The sky's the limit for him.”

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