From the Spa: July 29 Midlantic-breds in Saratoga stakes

I Spent It wins the 2014 Saratoga Special. Photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.

by Joseph Aiello

“From the Spa” returns to keep you up-to-date on horses bred in the mid-Atlantic racing in Saratoga stakes.

Saturday, July 29th is Jim Dandy day at Saratoga, featuring this year’s Derby and Preakness winners, Always Dreaming and Cloud Computing. With a small field of only five horses, the Jim Dandy does not include a Mid-Atlantic entry, but is the feature race in a card with three other graded stakes races. Of these races, the six-furlong Alfred G. Vanderbilt is the only to have the prestigious Grade I label and is the race of interest for our Mid-Atlantic bred.

Named after Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt II, an important contributor to the development of thoroughbred racing in the United States during the 20th century, the Vanderbilt Handicap has been running since 1985 and remains one of Saratoga’s top races for sprinters. Here’s a look at our Mid-Atlantic entry.

Green Gratto is a seven year old horse bred by Kaz Hill Farm in New Jersey. Owned by Gaston Grant, the trainer, and Anthony Grant, this horse has amassed over a million in career earnings and just recently won his first Grade I stakes. While this Grade I will be an even greater challenge, Green Gratto certainly does not lack the speed to win. A recent bullet workout at Belmont park of four furlongs in 46 1/5 seconds shows why he is a born sprinter. By Here’s Zealous – Starship Smokester, by Smokester, Green Gratto and new jockey Kendrick Carmouche will look to overcome the 20/1 morning line odds and find themselves in the winner’s circle.