Saratoga Race Course celebrated its 155th Opening Day on Thursday, July 13! Despite heavy rains that have impacted turf racing throughout the Meet, the racing has been first class.
We (Woodford Racing et al) have had three starters to date (Perform, Whiskey and Wine, Frontline Warrior). Perform ran fifth in the Curlin Stakes, a prep for the Travers Stakes, the marquee race of the Meet. Whiskey and Wine was entered to run on the turf but the race was rained off and run on a muddy main track. Other than possibly gaining fitness, the race confirmed Whiskey and Wine needs to run on the grass. Frontline Warrior was our first 2 year old starter of 2023. Going a mile and a sixteenth on the grass (July 29th), Frontline Warrior took the lead in deep stretch but tired late to finish third.
With jockey Jose Ortiz before Frontline Warrior Race
Frontline Warrior
Perform
This weekend brings four opportunities to gain a victory at Saratoga. Whiskey and Wine will get a chance to run on his preferred surface (turf) on Thursday, August 4th. Race #10 is a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint and he has drawn post position #2.
Signator, Pentathlon and Battle of Normandy are all running on Saturday. Signator returns going seven furlongs after being on the sidelines since October 2022. One of the favorites in the first 2023 Kentucky Derby Future Pool, Signator exited the Derby Trail after requiring minor ankle surgery. I watched his most recent workout on Saturday, and he looks like the Signator that caught the attention of the racing world with his maiden victory at Aqueduct on October 14. Signator’s race is #11 and he has drawn post position #2. The race goes off at 6:16 PM (EST).
Pentathlon is our second 2 year old starter of 2023. The son of Speightstown was purchased privately this Spring in Florida and has been training along since. Pentathlon goes in race #2 at 1:07 PM (EST) from post position #3.
Battle of Normandy is running in the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational going a mile and three sixteenths on the turf. He has finished second in both his 2023 starts and the distance should suit him. Battle of Normandy’s race is #9 and goes off at 5:01 PM (EST). He has drawn post position #7.
Signator getting bathed after workout
Pentathalon