From the Spa: August 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   

Among three other graded stakes races on Saratoga’s Saturday card is the Grade III Saranac Stakes run at a mile on the inner turf exclusively for three year olds. The Saranac has been won by some of the top three year old turf runners in the country who have gone on to have long and successful careers. With an evenly matched eleven horse field that features two Midlantic runners, one can hope that our entries have great success in their racing careers following a winning effort here.

From the seven post is Irish Mias, a three year old chestnut gelding by Sky Mesa – Irish Score, by Even the Score. At morning line odds of 12/1, Irish Mias is overlooked as the third longest shot on the board, yet he has a stakes win under his belt and good class having run in two grade III races this year. Trained by Graham Motion, this New Jersey bred looks to rediscover his winning ways with jockey Manny Franco, who rode him to his only career win in September at Laurel Park. Owner and breeder Isabelle De Tomaso will also be rooting for Irish Mias to cross the wire first, but even if he doesn’t, adding to his nearly $160,000 in career earnings on the turf will keep him as one of the highest earners in this field.

At a slightly shorter 8/1 morning line is Embolden, who breaks from the nine post for trainer Michael Stidham and owners Dare to Dream Stable LLC. Bred in Virginia by Nancy L Terhun & Ernest Frohboese, this grey colt comes off an impressive four furlong bullet work over the Fair Hill training track just one week ago and appears primed for a top effort. With jockey Jose Ortiz in the irons, Embolden will have no excuses to finish out of the money, something he has yet to do in seven career starts. By The Factor – Silver Heart, by Lion Hearted, this Virginia bred three year old certainly seems ready for a breakthrough graded stakes win, and should have everyone’s attention going into the starting gate.