Friday at the Spa features the Grade I Personal Ensign Stakes as Randomized and Idiomatic are set to rematch after their thrilling battle in the Ogden Phipps on Belmont weekend. While the Personal Ensign is the marquee, the ungraded Smart N Fancy Stakes starts up the day with top tier turf racing for older fillies and mares. As these runners potentially take aim at the Breeders’ Cup, the Smart N Fancy will serve as a measuring stick for bigger things going forward into the fall. With a pair entering in from the Caress as well as the return of last year’s winner, a trio of Midlantic breds headline this race in hopes of putting a bow on their already successful summers.

Breaking from the inside in this seven horse field is Dontlookbackatall, the longest shot of the three Midlantic runners at just 4/1 on the morning line. Slated as the third choice, this Pennsylvania bred is a winner of three straight, including the Grade III Caress last time out. On top of the Caress, Dontlookbackatall has another win and place over the Saratoga turf course, and is on an impressive streak of ten straight races with a finish in the top two. With her consistency and strong record at the distance, it is easy to see why she is a top contender here after winning at the modest odds of 8/1 last time. In her upset Caress win, this filly by Peace and Justice – Celtic Arch, by Arch was positioned in fourth early before passing runners in the stretch with Irad Ortiz jr. aboard. Unfortunately, Irad will jump off this Clement trainee to ride the morning line favorite from the same barn, but leaves the newly minted Hall of Famer Joel Rosario in the irons. Purchased for $150,000 as a two year old by owners West Point Thoroughbreds, Scarlet Oak Racing and Titletown Racing Stables, Dontlookbackatall looks to add to her near half a million in career earnings as she is seemingly just hitting her stride. With strong connections and a graded win to boot, this filly bred by A1A Racing will no longer go overlooked by the betting public, and is firmly in the running for her second victory this meet.

At the slightly shorter odds of 3/1, the outside breaking Future Is Now returns from a show in the Caress where she relinquished the lead in the deep stretch. After leading that race from the jump, this speedy filly by Great Notion – Past as Prelude, by Bernardini was simply the victim of too fast an early pace; valiant in defeat considering the forty-three and four-fifths half mile. With other speed in this field, returning rider Paco Lopez should have this Michael Trombetta trained filly in a stalking position to conserve energy. If she is able to control a slower pace however, there is no doubt that Future Is Now may have a leg up on the others from a tactical perspective. With all five of her career wins coming at sprint distances including a win in the Grade II Intercontinental over this course in June, this spot is no stranger to Future Is Now, who only seems to be improving as a four year old. Future Is Now was bred in Maryland by R. Larry Johnson who is also the owner.

Last but certainly not least is the morning line favorite Roses For Debra who won this race a year ago. Starting at 6/5, Roses for Debra unfortunately was scratched out of the Caress by trainer Christophe Clement, allowing for her stablemate Dontlookbackatall to capture that contest. Now she returns with the most turf class of anyone in this group, and as previously mentioned gets leading rider Irad Ortiz Jr. to step aboard after six straight races as her jockey. Entering in off a layoff from the Intercontinental in June, Roses for Debra was narrowly beaten by Future Is Now after a mid pack trip, unable to pass her at the wire despite a strong stretch run. Perhaps a little time on the bench should leave her fresh and ready for this race, with another crack at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint looming if she puts in a top performance here. While Roses for Debra has yet to capture a signature grade I win, her over $600,000 in career earnings for owners Cheyenne Stable LLC and John O’Meara still make her a Midlantic bred success story who still has good racing ahead. Bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm LLC, Roses for Debra is by Liam’s Map – Essential Rose, by Bernardini and will break from the four hole.

With these three strong turf runners entered in the Smart N Fancy, it is likely that Midlantic breds continue what has been a successful meet at Saratoga, primarily in this turf division. Now facing the prohibitive favorite Roses for Debra, the “other” Midlantic runners will also be able to compare themselves to one of the best turf sprint mares in the country as they come into their own as four year olds.

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