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Horse Betting » General » Havre de Grace Takes on Boys in Woodward at Saratoga

Havre de Grace Takes on Boys in Woodward at Saratoga

By Mike Dempsey

The Saratoga meeting is winding down, with closing day on Monday, but there is still plenty of betting action over the holiday weekend including a trio of Grade 1 races on Saturday.

The Larry Jones trainee Havre de Grace, a four-year-old filly with Horse of the Year aspirations is taking on the boys in the $750,000 Woodward (G1).

The filly has made four starts this year, winning the Azeri (G3), Apple Blossom (G1), and Obeah (G3), then coming up a nose shy in the Delaware Handicap (G2), beaten by her archrival Blind Luck.

For her connections, a win against the boys would put her right in the mix for the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year.

“Obviously, we think we have a chance to be Horse of the Year,” said owner Rick Porter of Fox Hill Farm. “And after we got beat a nose in the Del ‘Cap, we thought we had to do something aggressive, either run against Blind Luck again in the Personal Ensign [or] take the boys on. We had to do something to get everybody’s attention, hopefully.”

A victory and she likely would be pointed toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) . A loss and her trainer Larry Jones likely will put her back in against the girls and point her toward the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1).

Her rival Blind Luck was being pointed to a start against the boys in the Pacific Classic (G1), but her connections decided to skip that race and she likely will run in the Lady’s Secret (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Oct. 1.

Havre de Grace has earned triple digit Beyer Speed Figures in six of her last seven starts, certainly putting her right in the mix in the Woodward.

The only runner in the field that earned a higher last out number is Mambo Meister, who earned a 110 Beyer winning the Primal Stakes at Calder on July 24.

His main competition is likely to come from Flat Out, who finished a solid second in the Whitney Handicap (G1) over the main track at Saratoga on Aug. 6.

The five-year-old won the Suburban (G2) on July 2 by 6 ½ lengths in a very impressive effort.

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who is well on his way to winning the trainer title again this year at the Spa sends out a pair of runners.

Mission Impazible, who missed winning the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) by a neck in June is looking to bounce back off a disappointing sixth place finish in the Whitney.

Pletcher will also send out Rule, who is coming off a victory in the Birdstone Stakes over the Spa main track on Aug. 4.

Completing the field are last year’s Florida Derby (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner up Ice Box, Whitney third place finisher Giant Oak, and recent optional claimer winner Convocation.

The Woodward will be telecast live on the VERSUS Network as part of the “Summer at Saratoga” series, with the one hour telecast getting underway at 5:00 ET.

The $250,000 Forego (G1) will also be televised live on VERSUS. The seven furlong sprint drew a field of nine.

The morning line favorite for the Forego is the Nick Zito trained Jackson Bend, who snapped a 12 race losing streak by winning the James Marvin on July 22.

His main competition is likely to come from Fourstardave (G2) winner Sidney’s Candy, and Cigar Mile (G1) winner Jersey Town.

Thanks to Hurricane Irene, there is a third Grade 1 race on Saturday’s card at the Spa.

Last Sunday’s $300,000 Personal Ensign (G1) was wiped out and was rescheduled for Saturday, with the original six that were entered last week coming back to compete.

The Martin Wolfson trained Ask the Moon, coming off a sharp win in the Ruffian (G1) on July 31 is the 2/1 morning line favorite.

Trying to turn the tables will be the Ruffian runner up and third place finishers Super Expresso and Tiz Miz Sue.

Go to our Handicapping Picks Page for Michael Dempsey’s full card report for Saratoga.