From the Spa: September 2 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 tenth race at the Spa on September 2nd is the Grade II Prioress Stakes, a six furlong sprint on the dirt for three year old fillies. In this ten horse field, there are two entries who are undefeated and three with only one loss. Among those with one loss is Bronx Beauty, a grey filly who has won all five of her tries on the dirt. Bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm LLC, Bronx Beauty is being mostly overlooked with morning line odds of 15/1, but her record and four career stakes wins show that she should be very competitive here.

A grey filly by Liaison – Forever Sunshine, by Rockport Harbor, Bronx Beauty has won both her tries this year, the first being a win in the New Start Stakes with John Velazquez in the irons. Velazquez did not return for her most recent win in the Jose L. Flores Memorial Stakes at Parx, but will be back to guide her in this try for trainer Anthony Margotta Jr., who is looking for his first win this year at Saratoga. While Bronx Beauty may be stepping up slightly in class, she is the only filly in this field to win four stakes races and with a jockey trainer combo who has won both their tries together this year. Even with the accolades, she still has the odds stacked against her in this loaded field, but can certainly upset the others for owner Richard Woll.