Forte To Jim Dandy; Hoosier Philly Targets CCA Oaks; Webslinger Points To Saratoga Derby

Trainer Todd Pletcher has confirmed Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's MGISW Forte (Violence) for the GII Jim Dandy S. July 29 at Saratoga Race Course.

The 3-year-old colt will use the race as a prep for the GI Travers S. Aug. 26, which the Hall of Famer won with Flower Alley [2005] and Stay Thirsty [2011].

“It was a tough call,” said Pletcher. “We just felt like shipping up here, getting him used to the track, two Travers winners we previously had have done that.”

Pletcher added that Forte will likely breeze on Friday morning over the Saratoga main track following the renovation break.

Also looking to make a Saratoga start is GSW Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief), who recorded her first work on Wednesday in preparation for the GI Coaching Club American Oaks July 22 for trainer Tom Amoss.

Hoosier Philly | Coady Photography

The 3-year-old gray filly logged a half-mile breeze over the main track in 49.49 seconds with regular pilot Edgar Morales up in her second move since winning the Monomoy Girl S. June 17 at Ellis Park.

“It was a typical work for her and Edgar Morales flew up to work her,” said Amoss. “It was a good work with a strong gallop out. That's her M.O. She's doing fine and she came out of it in good shape. Our plan is to run in the Coaching Club.”

One other runner that will be headed upstate is D.J. Stable's GSW Webslinger (Constitution). Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse said the 3-year-old gelding, who was last seen running fourth July 8 in the GI Belmont Derby, will take on the next leg of NYRA's Turf Triple in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational.

“Unfortunately, he got shuffled back [in the Belmont Derby] and Javier [Castellano] had no choice but to go around,” Casse said. “I'm not sure how much farther he ran than everybody else, but it was much farther than he got beat by, that's for sure. He came out good and will aim for the Saratoga Derby.”

Webslinger | Horsephotos

With a win, Webslinger will have a shot at an automatic berth into the G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate to be held Oct. 28 at Moonee Valley Racing Club in Victoria, Australia.

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Keeneland Sales To Sponsor Major Filly Stakes From Coast To Coast

Keeneland Sales has become the presenting sponsor of the GI Alabama S. at Saratoga Race Course, and Keeneland November will present the GII Jessamine S. on opening day of the 2023 Fall Meet, the organization said in a release Thursday. This comes on the heels of last week's news that the sales division would lend its name to the GIII Sorrento S. at Del Mar.

“Keeneland is excited to team with NYRA and Del Mar in sponsoring these prestigious summer stakes, and for Keeneland November to sponsor our Jessamine Stakes in the fall,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This initiative supports our mission to better the industry and aligns our globally important September Yearling Sale and November Breeding Stock Sale with these world-class race tracks.”

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Twirling Candy’s Sugar Hi Graduates In Style At Saratoga

2nd-Saratoga, $105,945, Msw, 7-13, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:05.14, ft, 6 lengths.
SUGAR HI (f, 2, Twirling Candy–Laughing Matters, by Medaglia d'Oro) tipped her hand for trainer Bill Mott early off a series of quick drills and was subsequently slammed down from her 8-1 morning line into the 2-1 favorite's role for the first 2-year-old maiden race of the 2023 Saratoga meet. Picked up for just $180,000 out of last year's Keeneland September Sale, the bay broke with intent from her outside draw and was up to press the pace outside of second-time starter Lady Moscato (Quality Road). Ridden to come alongside that rival off the turn, Sugar Hi stuck a head in front with a furlong to run and sprinted away with her ears pricked on the wire, defeating Lady Moscato by a geared-down six lengths.

“With the mare, we needed the characteristics that Twirling Candy gives us which is the opportunity to get a race horse,” said winning co-breeder Fred Hertrich. “The mare needed a little push to get something that would stand out. We own shares in him (Twirling Candy) and he's been very good to us about helping mares provide runners.”

From the extended female family of champion 2-year-old filly Dreaming of Anna (Rahy), GSW Dreamologist, and GISP Fast Anna (Medaglia d'Oro), Sugar Hi has a yearling More Than Ready half brother while her dam unfortunately aborted her 2023 Street Sense foal. Sales History: $180,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-CJ Thoroughbreds; B-Fred W. Hertrich lll & John D. Fielding (KY); T-William I. Mott.

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Ellis Park To Host ‘Rein In Breast Cancer’ Event

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming will celebrate Breast Cancer Survivors on Saturday, July 15 with its annual Horses and Hope Day at the races, the track said in a release Thursday.

“We want to send a message to all cancer survivors, especially our patrons, our community and our very own team members that no one fights alone,” Ellis Park General Manager Matt Pressley said. “Ellis Park is all about community and family and this is a great opportunity to celebrate and spend the day with friends and family.”

Ellis Park will have a giveaway for the first 50 survivors through the main gate, as well as the opportunity for them to enter a drawing for one of three self-care packages. Race fans are encouraged to “chalk the walk” between the terrace and paddock tents in honor of their loved ones and to wear pink.

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