From the Spa: August 7 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   

Friday, August 7th features the Grade II Saratoga Special Stakes for two year olds which is run at six furlongs on the dirt. The Saratoga Special has been a launching race for some of the top younger horses in the country, and often leads to a try in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes at the end of the meet. This year’s Saratoga Special is well-stocked with eleven entries including eight Kentucky breds, two New York breds, and a New Jersey bred breaking from the five post. While the New Jersey bred, Pickin’ Time, is an outsider in more ways than one with morning line odds of 20/1, he picks up a top flight jockey in Javier Castellano and will look to come out of this try as the only remaining unbeaten.

Pickin’ Time is a dark brown colt by Stay Thirsty – Born to Royalty, by King of Kings who was bred by his owner, John Bowers Jr. Trained by Kelly Breen, this longshot comes out of a maiden win in his first start at Monmouth Park on July 4th, where he went wire to wire at four and one half furlongs as the odds-on favorite. While Pickin’ Time didn’t face too much of a challenge in that try, he drew away in the stretch to win by nearly two lengths which could be reflective of wanting a bit more distance. Winning this race on the lead this time around will prove much more difficult, however, with many others in the field stretching out and wanting to take control of the pace from the jump. Pickin’ Time will certainly have his work cut out for him, but with a jockey trainer combo that has won their only try together this meet, there is no reason why he can’t find his way back into the winner’s circle in his second career start.