From the Spa: July 31 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

After a strong third place finish by Pennsylvania bred Twisted Ride at 34/1 in the Grade I Alfred G Vanderbilt, our Midlantic bred runners are off to a great start at the Saratoga meet. Continuing with the stakes entries this Wednesday is Lightning Rod, the outside breaking eight horse in the Jonathan Kiser Memorial Novice Stakes. The Jonathan Kiser is the first race of the day to be run at two and three eighth miles over hurdles. Maryland bred Lightning Rod will start at a tepid 8/1 on the morning line in this field, having never raced in stakes company. Originally beginning his career in flat racing, this six year old gelding by Bellamy Road – Katara, by Pulpit recently switched to steeplechase after little success in his first thirteen tries. In just four hurdle races, Lightning Rod picked up a win while also positioning himself for a strong finish last time out before fading in the late stretch. After a near two year layoff from November 2022 to March of this year, this Laird R. George trainee appears to finally have found his footing as a thoroughbred with some strong efforts still left in him.

Lightning Rod was bred by Clark Ohrstrom who is also his sole owner. He enters here with returning jockey Gerald Galligan who specializes in steeplechase races primarily over Midlantic tracks. Galligan has competed in over seven-hundred races, only venturing up to the Spa a few times each summer. Despite his limited races at Saratoga, Galligan has won the Jonathan Kiser both last year and in 2021. He clearly has a top resume over the fences, and will need to be on his A-game to bring home the win for Laird R. George on what will be his first Saratoga entry in over two decades. While this may be a difficult spot for Lightning Rod as he makes a step up in class, these unfamiliar yet up to the challenge connections should have him well positioned to put in a top effort and keep this Saratoga meet going strong for Midlantic breds.