Weekend Horse Racing News: Winners, Replays, Results

Weekend Horse Racing News: Winners, Replays, Results:

Longines Test Stakes – Grade I – 7 Furlongs – Three-Year-Old Fillies – Saratoga

In Take Charge Brandi’s return to racing in the Longines Test Stakes (GI) after months out due to injury, it was Cavorting (Bernardini – Promenade Girl, by Carson City) who shone the brightest. The three-year-old filly from the barn of trainer Kiaran McLaughlin seems to have an affinity for Saratoga as she won her other graded stakes, the Adirondack Stakes (GII), there last year before off-the-board finishes in the Frizette Stakes (GI) and the Davona Dale Stakes (GII). Prepped with a win in the Jersey Girl Stakes, Cavorting made her return to graded stakes glory with her solid victory in the Test. Cavorting broke a step slow and was shuffled into the back of the pack in the early going, but she ran widely with ease. She began gaining some momentum and ultimately flew down the stretch, bypassing Bar of Gold to take the Test by 2-1/2 lengths.

Whitney Stakes – Grade I – 1-1/8 Miles – Three-Year-Olds and Up – Saratoga

The Whitney Stakes (GI) attracted an impressive group of older horses, and the running of the race did not disappoint. Honor Code (A.P. Indy – Serena’s Cat, by Storm Cat) awed racegoers with his last win in the Metropolitan Handicap (GI), and he entered the gate for the Whitney as the slight second favorite behind Belmont winner Tonalist. In a field that included other top horses such as Lea, Moreno, and Liam’s Map, Honor Code had his work cut out for him. The flashy dark bay ridgling remained at the back of the pack with fellow closers throughout most of the race, but when he was shook up at the three-quarters marker, he began to take aim at the front-running Liam’s Map. In a thriller much like his last race, Honor Code simply sprinted down the stretch to nab Liam’s Map at the wire and earn a starting spot in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Best Pal Stakes – Grade II – 6-1/2 Furlongs – Two-Year-Olds – Del Mar

Doug O’Neill’s barn has been on fire with juveniles lately, and Nyquist (Uncle Mo – Seeking Gabrielle, by Forestry) reiterated the barn’s superiority with a dominating victory in Del Mar’s Best Pal Stakes (GII). The bay son of the precocious Uncle Mo impressively broke his maiden in his debut, covering five furlongs in a swift :56.43 and taking the event by a hard-fought head over Annie’s Candy. In the Best Pal, Nyquist would face Annie’s Candy again, along with the highly regarded colt Swipe. Nyquist left the gate as the favorite and ran like it as well as he settled in third for the 6-1/2-furlong race. Around the final turn, Nyquist had made some headway and was left alone on the lead where he remained under an easy ride to win by a clear 3-1/2 lengths.

Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes – Grade III Turf – 1-1/2 Miles – Three-Year-Old and Up Fillies and Mares – Saratoga

The French-bred Goldy Espony (Vespone – Goldy Honor, by Highest Honor) dominated the field in the Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes (GIII) at Saratoga. The four-year-old gray or roan filly was a Group III winner in France before coming under the care of trainer Chad Brown, and she has since managed to finish third in the Pin Oak Valley View Stakes (GIII) at Keeneland last fall and first in the River Memories Stakes in July. Goldy Espony controlled the Waya the entire way. Breaking from post position one, Goldy Espony was hustled to the lead where she set a relaxed pace. She remained in control along the final turn of the 1-1/2-mile route, and under strong urging she was never in any danger of losing as she flew under the wire 3-1/4 lengths in front.

John C. Mabee Stakes – Grade II Turf – 1-1/8 Miles – Three-Year-Old and Up Fillies and Mares – Del Mar

After an unlucky run in her last race out in the Gamely Stakes (GI), the Irish-bred Elektrum (High Chaparral – Carolines Secret, by Inchinor) was able to claim a win in the John C. Mabee Stakes (GIIT) at Del Mar. The four-year-old filly managed a pair of wins in France before coming under the care of John Sadler and doing well in allowance optional claiming company. Elektrum may not have won the Gamely Stakes, but she would not be beaten in the Mabee. Tracking the leaders in fourth for much of the race, Elektrum began to make her move around the final turn, and she had to gamely battle between Queen of the Sand and Emotional Kitten to snag the victory by a gallant head.