From the Spa: July 27 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
The Grade I Alfred G Vanderbilt Stakes is run annually at Saratoga for three year olds and upwards at six furlongs on the dirt. This year, the Vanderbilt features a field of six in race six on Saturday’s card. A few Saratoga success stories such as the impressive 7/2 Baby Yoda and Subrogate of the same morning line enter to take on Steve Asmussen’s Skelly who sits at 6/5. While these runners along with the inside breaking Nakatomi all appear to have legitimate winning chances on paper, the 20/1 long shot Twisted Ride faces an uphill battle in his first grade I test. Bred in Pennsylvania by Kasey K Racing Stable, Twisted Ride has shown good ability in sprint distances and is in top form, but faces a group with a bit more early speed than he is accustomed. Even if this five year old gelding by Great Notion – Diva’s Gold, by Tenpins doesn’t end up winning, finishing in the money amongst this class would be a great accomplishment, already boasting a nineteen for twenty-five lifetime record in the top three.
Trainer Michael Moore has primarily entered Twisted Ride in Parx contests, with a few other trips to Midlantic racetracks such as Laurel, Delaware and Monmouth. His only tries at the graded level have come at Belmont and Aqueduct, all coming up short. Previously, Twisted Ride employed a variety of running styles from stalking to mid pack, but in his previous five tries regular jockey Andy Hernandez has made it a point to be aggressive from the jump. Now, the typically forward Kendrick Carmouche will take the irons, likely continuing this strategy. However, with faster horses from the jump such as the top choice Skelly, Twisted Ride may be best suited taken back early and hoping for a contentious pace among the favorites. In his Maryland Million Sprint Stakes this October, Twisted Ride showed he could rate by closing from seventh into second in a field of nine. Stepping up from an allowance last time into this group does seem daunting, but his recent forty-seven flat four furlong breeze at Parx just five days ago proves he is in top shape.
After Pennsylvania bred Dontlookbackatall and Maryland bred Future Is Now finished first and third in the Grade III Caress on Thursday, a strong performance here for Twisted Ride would get our Midlantic runners off to a great start this meet. Already amassing over half a million in earning for owners Kasey K Racing Stable LLC, Michael R. Day, and Final Turn Racing Stable LLC, Twisted Ride has been a success and will only add to that if he picks up his first graded win in one of the most prestigious sprint races in the country.
