A pair of Midlantic-breds will tackle the Grade 2 Adirondack Stakes on Saturday, August 15th at Saratoga.
The Adirondack is a race rich in history. Established in 1901 for two-year-olds, this race became exclusive to fillies in 1930. It has been contested at several different distances from five and one-half to its current six and one-half furlongs. One of its most notable winners was the filly Sky Beauty in 1992. She went on to win the Triple Tiara series, equivalent to a colt’s victory in the Triple Crown, and earn induction into the Hall of Fame.
This year two Pennsylvania-breds will attempt to match the feat of Sky Beauty, or at least to win the Adirondack.
A horse with tremendous connections, Tonasah, a bay two-year-old filly, features perennial Eclipse winners jockey Javier Castellano and trainer Todd Pletcher. At 8-5 in the morning line, as long as this filly keeps her wits and does not run off as in a previous attempt, she should be there at the wire. Bred by Smart Angle LLP, this filly, by Malibu Moon-Quanah County, by Valid Expectations is owned by StarLadies Racing. We’re sure the owners will be dressed for the winners’ circle. She won her only start to date in a Belmont maiden event.
Another Pennsylvania filly with an outside chance — she’s 20-1 in the morning line — is Heartbreaker Girl. Ridden by Miguel Angel Vasquez and trained by Juan Andres Rodriguez, this two-year-old is coming off of a win at Gulfstream Park just over two weeks ago against maiden claimers. She is by Drosselmeyer-Darnestown, by Williamstown and is owned by Golden Legacy Stable LLC and Juan Andres Rodriguez. She was bred by Elizabeth M. Merryman.
