From the Spa: July 21 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.

The Grade III Sanford Stakes is the ninth race on Saturday, July 21st at the Spa. A $150,000 race for two-year-olds, the Sanford is run at six furlongs on the dirt and has two Maryland breds in the small seven horse field. While both are not short morning line odds like yesterday’s Pennsylvania-bred Lake George winner Daddy Is a Legend, each has shown the ability to finish, with victories in their last start. Here’s a look:

Running from the three-post is Knicks Go, a grey colt bred by Angie Moore and owned by KRA Stud Farm. By Paynter – Kosmo’s Buddy, by Outflanker, Knicks Go looks to build upon a three length win at Ellis Park two weeks ago with a new jockey in the irons, Luis Saez. Saez will be riding for trainer Ben Colebrook, who last put this colt out on the Keenland track for a sharp four furlong work June 28. If Knicks Go can build off recent signs of his potential, he should have no problem outperforming his 10/1 morning line odds.

The other Maryland-bred, Chase Greatness, is coming from the five post, and has slightly better morning line odds at 8-1. Bred and owned by Sagamore Farm, this chestnut colt by More Than Ready – Salsa Star, by Giant’s Causeway seems to have hit his stride with Jockey Robby Albarado, with a half length win at Churchill one month ago after a tough fourth place finish back in May. If this trend continues, trainer Horacio DePaz will start right where he left off last year with another strong Saratoga meet.