August 9, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
2.5 Million Reasons
Colonial Downs is set to host a septet of stakes, including three of the graded variety, this weekend.
Headlined by the $1 million Arlington Million (G1T), the Virginia racecourse’s loaded slate remains on track despite the threat posed by Tropical Storm Debby.
While that could still change, and the big money affairs (total purse value of $2.5 million) may be rescheduled for another day, there’s plenty to look forward to should the program run as planned.
Title contenders in the Arlington include multiple graded stakes winner’s Nations Pride (IRE) (8-5; 17: 9-3-2) and Integration (5-2; 7: 4-0-1).
Names to watch in the $500,000 romps, the Beverly D (G2T) and Secretariat (G2), include Moira (9-5; Beverly), Fev Rover (IRE) (2-1; Beverly), Brilliant Berti (5-2; Secretariat), and Bear River (6-1; Secretariat).
Turf Titan
Carl Spackler (IRE) returns to Saratoga for the third time in 2024 to contest the $500,000 Fourstardave (G1T) on Saturday afternoon.
The 1 1/16-mile dash will also be the 4-year-old colt’s first endeavour at the grade 1 tier.
It’s been a banner beginning for Carl Spackler, who’s found the winner’s circle five times across his first eight starts (5-1-0), including three times at Saratoga.
The Tyler Gaffalione mount conquered last year’s editions of the Hall of Fame (G2T) and Saranac (G3T) before capturing the Kelso (G3T) last time out on July 13.
A repeat performance in the Fourstardave would vault Carl Spackler over the $1 million lifetime purse earnings mark.
Still Ready
Legend of Time (GB) will finally get his moment in the $600,000 Saratoga Derby (G1T) this Saturday after the 1 3/16-mile tilt was postponed due to inclement weather.
Although the storm may still impact track conditions, the 3-year-old colt will run under the direction of veteran rider Flavien Prat, who enters with more than 8,250 starts to his name.
The sophomore and the vet make will unite for their fourth trip, fresh off a third in the Belmont Derby (G1T) last time out.
It wasn’t the most inspiring performance for the Charles Appleby charge, who closed as the 3-2 choice, but Legend of Time has proven more than capable of winning on the big stage.
The Pennine Ridge (G2T) champion is 6: 4-0-1 in 2024 and 5-0-1 in eight starts overall.
No Pressure…
Aside from a fifth in the Ainsworth Turf Sprint (G2T), Cogburn has been on a remarkable six-race stretch going back to last May.
The victor of five of his last six starts aims to continue his run of dominance in this Saturday’s $300,000 Troy (G2T) at Saratoga.
The multiple graded stakes winning 5-year-old has gotten the job done all over the North American circuit, reeling in last year’s Troy (G3T), along with the 2024 Twin Spires Turf (G2T) and Jaipur (G1T) during his impressive streak.
Entering as the overwhelming 1-2 favourite, oddsmakers seem to believe the 5 ½-furlong turf affair is already settled.
That said, Cogburn will need to keep a level head to make good on his lofty billing.
Filter out the Bad
Coming off a strong rebound effort in the Carry Back Stakes on July 5, Catalytic looks to convert for the first time in 2024 in the $275,000 Ellis Park Derby.
After a pair of strong seconds, namely in March’s Florida Derby (G1), it appeared the 3-year-old colt was destined for a breakthrough sophomore campaign.
All that momentum was put on a brief hold following an abysmal second-last showing in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but the arrow is starting to point back in the right direction for the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee.
Rolling into Sunday’s showdown at 4-1, Catalytic offers intriguing value in a race with no clear-cut favorite.
