From the Spa: August 12 Midlantic-breds in Saratoga stakes

I Spent It wins the 2014 Saratoga Special. Photo by NYRA/Adam Coglianese.

by Joseph Aiello

“From the Spa” returns to keep you up-to-date on horses bred in the mid-Atlantic racing in Saratoga stakes.

Race 8 on Sunday, August 12th at Saratoga is the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes for two year olds. Run at six and one half furlongs on the dirt, the Special will feature six entries, most notably our Mid-Atlantic bred, Call Paul. Call Paul will be breaking from the two post and faces some stiff competition, but with leading jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., this bay colt looks up to the challenge.

Bred in Pennsylvania by Beatrice Patterson and Vicky Schowe, Call Paul won his only career start at Delaware Park in a $34,000 Maiden Special Weight in which he sat off the leader for most of the race, only to commandingly take over in the stretch run. With such a strong performance his potential is no longer in question, but what truly sticks out about this colt is his price tag of $210,000 to owners Michael Dubb, David Simon, Bruce Irom, and Bethlehem Stables LLC. Purchased by his owners as a two year old, Call Paul will look to return their investment with his first stakes win, as well as by potentially carrying on his bloodlines of Friesan Fire – Avani Force, by Forestry down the road. Trained by Jason Servis, Call Paul is the second morning-line choice at odds of 3/1.