From NYRA.com
The fields are taking shape for for an exciting fifth week of live racing for the summer Saratoga meet, featuring the much-anticipated return of Fox Hill Farm's undefeated champion Songbird in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday, August 13.
As the dominating winner of the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 24, Songbird will be joined in the 1 ¼-mile Alabama by Flora Dora, the third-place finisher of the CCA Oaks, for Marialice Cofffey; recent optional claiming winnerGoing for Broke from the Chad Brown barn; and Grade 1 Ashland winner Weep No More for trainer Rusty Arnold. Dark Nile and Family Tree, winners of the Grade 3 Delaware Oaks and Grade 2 Indiana Oaks, respectively, are possible to start, as is Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan victor Go Maggie Go, from the barn of Dale Romans.
Also on tap for Saturday is the $100,000 Troy at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon turf course. Asset Inflation, Disco Partner, Green Mask, Less Than Perfect, andRainbow Heir are possible for the race, while Calgary Cat and Doctor J Dub are listed as possible.
Week 5 stakes action will get underway with Wednesday's $100,000 Bolton Landing for 2-year-old fillies at 5 ½ furlongs on the Mellon Turf, featuring impressive maiden winner Bowie for trainer Steve Asmussen; Astoria runner-upChina Grove for Ben Colebrook; as well as Con Te Partiro, Heartspoke, Iron Mizz, Jazz Lady, and Safe With Me. Get Sassy, Inspired Flight and Whistle Stop are considered possible.
Hot City Girl, the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks winner and half-sister to Eclipse Award winner La Verdad, is expected to headline the $100,000 Union Avenue for New York-bred fillies and mares at 6 ½ furlongs on Thursday. Also probable for the day's featured race are Dr. Fager's Gal,Familyofroses, Hot House Rose, Non Finisce Mai, and Quezon. Court Dancer is also possible.
The second edition of the $100,000 Skidmore, known in its inaugural running as the Schenectady, will anchor Friday's card as the male counterpoint to the Bolton Landing. Cardinal Sin, Drive Sandy Drive, Iron Mane, Manifest Destiny andWellabled are probable for the race. Freud's Friend and Yes Mon are questionable.
Sunday's live racing program will be highlighted by the 33rd running of the Grade 2, $300,000 Lake Placid for sophomore fillies on the grass. At 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf, the Lake Placid is expected to feature a rematch between Catch a Glimpse and Time and Motion, the respective winner and runner-up of the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks on July 9. Diamond Fields, Harmonize and Outsider Art are also likely. Tin Type Gal is possible.
Rounding out the weekend's stakes action is the $100,000 Summer Colony for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on Monday, expected to attractEskenformoney,Money'soncharlotte, Rachel's Temper, Sweetgrass, andTiger Ride. Lady Serena and Milaya are also possible.