A rescheduled allowance hurdle on Monday launches a busy upcoming week of jump racing at Saratoga Race Course. Also on the schedule are an optional allowance hurdle on Wednesday and the Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes on Thursday.
Monday’s allowance hurdle originally had been scheduled for Wednesday, but persistent rain the previous day led to the postponement of the 2 1/16-mile race over National Fences.
Irv Naylor and Gil Johnston are engaged in a spirited battle atop the National Steeplechase Association’s owner standings, and each will be represented by a contender in Monday’s race.
Trainer Kevin Tobin will send out Naylor’s Tubal, an impressive maiden winner at the Virginia Gold Cup on May 2 and a good second in a tough Ratings Handicap at the Fair Hill Races three weeks later. Carol-Ann Sloan has the mount.
Jack Doyle, the current leading jockey by purse earnings, will be aboard Mrs. Johnston’s Dye Fore, who won a maiden hurdle at Monmouth Park on June 19. The four-year-old by Giant’s Causeway is trained by Jack Fisher, the runaway leader in this year’s trainer standings.
Trainer Arch Kingsley Jr. will put blinkers on Dogwood Stable’s Street Fight, who finished fourth in Saratoga’s first 2015 steeplechase race on July 29. Reigning champion jockey Willie McCarthy has a return call.
Making a delayed American debut will be Ballybristol Farm’s French-bred Andi’amu, a maiden winner in England last fall. He joined trainer Leslie Young’s stable after two third-place finishes this year, and will be ridden by current leading jockey Paddy Young.
Here is the field for Monday’s $65,000 allowance hurdle:
Tubal. 2010 b. g., Shakespeare—Lady Nadine, by Alzao. Owner: Irv Naylor. Trainer: Kevin Tobin. Jockey: Carol-Ann Sloan. 2015 record: 3-1-1-1, $40,500. Claimed for $5,000 out of Delaware Park flat race last year and has proved adept over fences. Won a Virginia Gold Cup maiden hurdle by five on May 2 and then was good second in Fair Hill Ratings Handicap Hurdle on May 23.
Street Fight. 2009 b. g., Street Sense–Reportedly, by Silver Deputy. Owner: Dogwood Stable. Trainer: Arch Kingsley Jr. Jockey: Willie McCarthy. Breeder: Kinghaven Farms (Ont.) 2015 record: 4-0-1-1, $21,500. 2014 record: 1-0-1-0, $9,000. Gets blinkers after fourth in Saratoga allowance hurdle on July 29. Finished fourth to a rising star in Monmouth optional allowance hurdle. Started 2015 with a repeat second-place finish in Aiken Spring’s Budweiser Imperial Cup (Gr. 3), then finished third in the Queen’s Cup MPC ’Chase for novices on April 25. Ran a powerful race to win maiden debut over fences at Aiken Fall in 2013.
Verne. 2009 gr. or ro. g., Unbridled’s Song—Somethinaboutbetty, by Forestry. Owner: Armata Stables. Trainer: Todd Wyatt. Jockey: Ross Geraghty. Breeder: Sienna Farms (Ky.) 2015 record: 1-0-0-0, $0. 2014 record: No starts. Stopped in Parx flat race for hurdlers on July 12 and finished ninth. Missed the entire 2014 racing season after being pulled up in a Montpelier optional allowance hurdle in November 2013. Won maiden victory at Shawan Downs in Maryland that fall. Scratched from Saratoga allowance hurdle on July 29.
Andi’amu (Fr). 2010 b. g., Walk In The Park—Sainte Parfaite, by Septieme Ciel. Owner: Ballybristol Farm. Trainer: Leslie Young. Jockey: Paddy Young. Breeder: Therese Bouche (Fr). 2015 NSA record: No starts. Making first U.S. start after modestly successful career over hurdles in England. Won maiden victory at Market Rasen last November and had two thirds at second-level tracks this year.
Plated. 2009 b. g., Tiznow—Imaginary Gold, by Mr. Prospector. Owner: Magalen O. Bryant. Trainer: Jimmy Day. Jockey: Sean McDermott. Breeder: Overbrook Farm (Ky.) 2015 NSA record: 3-0-1-2, $14,100. 2014 record: 2-1-0-1, $20,000. Finished third in tough Fair Hill Ratings Handicap Hurdle on May 23. Won maiden victory last fall at International Gold Cup.
Ginobi. 2009 b. m., Go for Gin–Glittering Marie, by Marine Brass. Owners: William Marlow Jr. and Andre Siemsen. Trainer: Jazz Napravnik. Jockey: Mark Watts. Breeder: Bonita Farm (Md.). 2015 NSA record: 3-1-1-0, $15,600. 2014 record: No starts. Set all the pace in a Queen’s Cup maiden claiming hurdle and won by 2 1/4 lengths before being pulled up in Iroquois Steeplechase’s Margaret Currey Henley Stakes for fillies and mares. Faded late to finish second in a Carolina Cup maiden hurdle for fillies and mares.
Dye Fore. 2011 dk. b. or br. g., Giant’s Causeway—Homebound, by Dixie Union. Owner: Gil Johnston. Trainer: Jack Fisher. Jockey: Jack Doyle. Breeder: Joseph Allen (Ky.) Four-year-old by top flat sire Giant’s Causeway won maiden over fences at Monmouth Park on June 19 after two unplaced finishes. Maiden stakes winner in France.