From the Spa: August 25 Midlantic-breds in Saratoga stakes

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

Friday August 25th features the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes and the Smart N Fancy Stakes. Both fields should set up great previews for the biggest racing day of the year at Saratoga on Saturday, with the Smart N Fancy as the showcase for our only Midlantic bred stakes winner of the meet so far. Roses for Debra comes off her graded stakes debut in the Grade III Caress as a winner who enters this five and half furlong turf sprint as the likely post time favorite. Roses for Debra was bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm LLC, and has already cemented herself as one of the top up and coming Midlantic filly and mare turf sprinters. Perhaps continued success as a four year old could have her aimed towards Santa Anita in November, but first a challenge in the Smart N Fancy will determine her true standing in stakes company as she tackles the Spa for the second time. 

Trained by Christophe Clement, this grey filly by Liam’s Map – Essential Rose, by Bernardini was clearly live when she was bet down to favorite in the Caress against a more experienced and classier field. Her respect from the betting public was not unjustified, as she stalked the leader Bubble Rock and took over near the top of the stretch, pulling away from her four competitors for a career best victory. Now returning for the second turf stakes try of her career, Roses for Debra enters with a greater target on her back, and keeps the meet’s leading rider in Irad Ortiz in the irons. While owners John O’Meara and Cheyanne Stable LLC should already be pleased at Roses for Debra’s development at four years old, clearly they have larger aspirations for her as she looks to pick up just the second stakes win for Midlantic bred runners at Saratoga this meet.