TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon

 

Extraordinary Efficiency

Didia (ARG) is ready to put her remarkable 81.2 podium conversion percentage on the line this Friday for the $1 million New York Stakes (G1T) at Saratoga.

The 6-year-old mare brings the same level of intensity into her matches as Dallas Mavericks’ center duo Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, who shot 78 and 74.7 percent from the field this year, respectively.

It’s been a strong start to the 2024 campaign for Didia, who captured the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Invitational (G2T) in May and finished third last out in the Jenny Wiley (G1T).

While there isn’t much left for the multiple graded stakes winner to accomplish, a win on Friday would avenge a three-quarter length loss suffered in last year’s edition of the New York.

The Jose Ortiz mount enters well-positioned at 9-2.

 

New Kid in Town

This year’s $2 million Belmont (G1) features a loaded 11-horse field led by Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan, Preakness (G1) champion Seize the Grey, and top contender Sierra Leone.

By now, we’re all well aware of what each of these superstars are capable of. That’s why we decided to spice things up and take a look at a lesser-known challenger who will be making just his third career start this Saturday at Saratoga.

Mindframe (7-2), a 3-year-old colt from Maryland, is off to a perfect 2-for-2 on the pro circuit. The Todd Pletcher trainee scored his maiden voyage by a 13 ¾-length margin before following that up with a 7 ½-length decision on May 4 at Churchill Downs.

Granted, Mindframe hasn’t faced competition anywhere near the level of those in the Belmont. Even so, the Irad Ortiz Jr. mount carries significant intrigue heading into the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

 

On Time, Every Time

Post Time has been as punctual as they come through 10 career starts, running to a stellar 8-1-1 line.

The 4-year-old colt and multiple graded stakes winner (Grade 3 General George and Grade 2 Carter) is set to take his talents to Saratoga for the $1 million Metropolitan (G1).

Going off as the second of three Breeders’ Cup events on the upstate New York track’s loaded Saturday card (Grade 1 Jaipur and Grade 1 Ogden Phipps), the 1-mile Metropolitan will mark Post Time’s first endeavor at the Grade 1 ranks.

The Brittany Russell charge is by no means light on experience, having performed admirably on the big stage several times before.

It will be interesting, however, to see how Post Time (7-2) handles both a new track and stronger competition come Saturday.

 

Groovy Globetrotter

Although Nations Pride’s (IRE) world traveler status may obfuscate which exact nation he is the pride of, one thing for sure is that the 5-year-old gets the job done just about everywhere he goes.

The Charles Appleby trainee, who’s collected over $2.6 million in lifetime earnings, returns to Saratoga this Saturday for the $1 million Manhattan (G1T).

Nations Pride’s last romp around the Saratoga turf came in August 2022, when he scored the Saratoga Derby Invitational (G1) by 1 ¾ lengths as the 2-1 favorite. That race also happened to be 1 3/16 miles, the same distance as the upcoming Manhattan.

With a win, the Frankie Dettori mount can get back to his winning ways (16: 9-2-2) after finishing third last out in the Man O’War (G2T) as the 4-5 choice.

Nation’s Pride enters at 9-2.

 

Florent General

Nash, who has yet to break through at the graded tier despite never dropping below third in seven career starts, will need an assist from veteran rider and three-time Matt Winn (G3) winner Florent Geroux in this year’s running of the $400,000 event.

The pair will cruise into Churchill Downs on Sunday for the second time in as many starts, following a taxing second as the 5-2 favorite in the Pat Day Mile (G2) on May 11.

Before the Pat Day, the 3-year-old colt’s only other attempt on the graded stage came in January’s Lecomte (G3), which resulted in another second as the closing line choice.

Nash (8-5) enters the Matt Winn in a prime position under one of the game’s most experienced and successful set-up men in Geroux.