From the Spa: July 16 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   

The first Saturday of the 2022 Saratoga meet sees some top tier graded stakes racing, including the historic 106th running of the Grade III Sanford Stakes. The Sanford has been won by multiple triple crown and classic winners, and began in 1913 as a starting point for some of the nation’s top two year olds. This year’s version features a well-stocked twelve horse field, all aiming to set themselves up for a great racing career.

At modest 12/1 morning line odds, Great Navigator, a dark brown colt by Sea Wizard – All Even, by Stephen Got Even is our first Midlantic bred entry of interest in the Sanford, breaking from the three post. Bred in New Jersey by Holly Crest Farm, who is also the owner, Great Navigator comes into this try as a winner of his debut, a four and a half furlong maiden sprint at Monmouth. Even at a shorter distance such as that, he stalked the leaders and took over at the top of the stretch, never relinquishing the lead en route to a five length victory. With a bit of added distance in this six furlong sprint, it will be interesting to see how hard jockey Jairo Rendon chooses to push Great Navigator out of the gate. In just his second ever start at The Spa, Rendon certainly has his work cut out for him, but his long-shot win with trainer Eddie Owens Jr. on a 17/1 Great Navigator first time out will give this duo all the confidence to take down the big boys here.

From the eleven post is Puttheblameonme, a 30/1 morning line colt who was bred in Pennsylvania by Blackstone Farm LLC. Even a convincing two-length victory first time out at Parx likely won’t be enough to get this one much respect from the betting public, but a strong bullet work over the Saratoga training track in early July could mean this colt is in top form. Trainer Jeremiah Englehart part owns Puttheblameonme with Orlando DiRienzo, and is no stranger to winning at Saratoga, already nabbing a win in each of the first two days this meet. He pairs up with experienced jockey Shaun Bridgmohan who returns to this track for the first time since 2019. Maybe this under-the-radar combination can give Puttheblameonme a defining upset victory in just his second start. Puttheblameonme is by Outwork – Blame Kris, by Blame.