From the Spa: September 1 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   

After back to back stakes wins for Midlantic breds in Saratoga Stakes just over a week ago with Leader of the Band and Caravel, there has been a recent hiatus for these entries at the Spa. Finally, we see another Midlantic runner taking on a stakes race in the P. G. Johnson for two year old fillies on Thursday, September 1st, as Whichwaze makes her second start after a six furlong victory over Woodbine’s artificial surface. The P. G. Johnson is run at a mile and one sixteenth on the inner turf, with a field of nine including a main-track-only entrant. Whichwaze is a bit overlooked here for trainer Mark Casse at morning line odds of 10/1, but will likely be near the lead stretching out in distance and could have a chance to steal this race.

By Cross Traffic – Deherewego, by Dehere, Whichwaze was bred by Old Chapel Farm LLC in Virginia, and breaks from the two post for owner Tina Casse. The Casses get the services of jockey Dylan Davis who won yesterday’s Grade III With Anticipation Stakes with the younger boys on a 23/1 Casse trained long-shot by going gate to wire. To do the same here with the boys’ turf route filly counterparts, Davis will need to control this race with slow fractions, which may be difficult as others in this field may take to the lead with Whichwaze. The adjustment to the turf course will also be a challenge for Whichwaze, as she has only run and worked on Woodbine’s artificial surface in her brief racing career. Still, with a modest yearling price tag of $15,000 and a win already under her belt, any strong finish in this stakes field for Whichwaze will be looked at as a positive for these connections who already picked up a marquee win this week.