Backtalk seeks third straight in Sanford

Saratoga will host three stakes races on Thursday, highlighted by the

$150,000

Sanford S. (G2) for two-year-olds. The unbeaten BACKTALK (Smarty Jones), a

good-looking winner of the Bashford Manor S. (G3) at this six-furlong trip, will

bid to extend his record to three-for-three. Miguel Mena, who has guided the

colt to both of his scores at Churchill, retains the mount.

"He's physically developed and very strong," trainer Tom Amoss said. "He's a

very good athlete, and I am looking forward to running him. As with any race at

Saratoga, you have to be respectful of the other horses, but we have high hopes

for him."

Backtalk should get a fast pace to set up his closing kick in the 95th

Sanford, which has drawn a field of nine. SOUNDMAN (Songandaprayer), the early

leader in the Bashford Manor before tiring to fifth, is back again for D. Wayne Lukas,

along with entrymate ACTIVITY REPORT (Bernstein).

Also likely to blast off from the gate are debut maiden winners ENUMERATE

(Proud Accolade) from the Steve Asmussen barn and the Todd Pletcher-trained

INTERACTIF (Broken Vow). Asmussen's other contender, LOUISVILLELUMINARY

(Pulpit), could be close early, but first-out maiden winners NACHO FRIEND

(Friends Lake) and BULLS AND BEARS (Holy Bull) project stalk-and-pounce trips.

"The cream comes to the top at Saratoga," said Asmussen's assistant Scott

Blasi, who will saddle Enumerate and Louisvilleluminary. "This is the time of

year when the two-year-olds start changing, both physically and mentally.

"They're both pretty much in the same boat," he added. "They're both quality

colts coming off impressive maiden wins at Churchill, and now they have to take

the next step."

"(Interactif) broke extremely well and showed some speed in his first race,"

Pletcher said Friday. "He's had two good works since then, including this

morning (five furlongs in a bullet :59.77). He's an interesting colt, and he'll

have to step up and improve like everyone else at this stage of the game."

Pletcher had nominated Michael Tabor's China (Tale of the Cat) to the

Sanford, but said the smashing Keeneland maiden winner would most likely start

in the August 20 Saratoga Special S. (G2).

One race prior to the Sanford, turf sprinters will dash 5 1/2 furlongs in the

$70,000

Quick

Call S. Twelve have been entered, including a pair of main track-only

hopefuls. Prime threats in the main body of the field include Grade 2 veteran

REBELLION (GB) (Mozart [Ire]), who reverts to turf after two flat efforts on

synthetic for Graham Motion; DUFFY'S TAVERN (Arch), who missed by a nose to In

Summation (Put It Back) in the John McSorley S. at Monmouth; the coupled Tony

Dutrow entry of AMERICAN CRUISER (Trippi) and REDEFINED (Labeeb [GB]); course

specialist AHVEE'S DESTINY (Rizzi) from the Linda Rice barn; and TRUE TO

TRADITION (Rahy), who has gone winless since capturing the Nearctic S. (Can-G2)

last fall but could be a factor at his best.

Thursday's opener is the $70,000

Jonathan

Kiser Novice S., a 2 1/16-mile affair over fences. Hall of Fame horseman

Jonathan Sheppard and steeplechase stalwart Tom Voss will each saddle three

horses, and together they account for nearly half of the 13-strong field.