Eclectic gang of six set for Saratoga Special

Eclectic gang of six set for

Saratoga Special

Monday's 106th running of the

Saratoga Special S. (G2) promises to be much more competitive than the past

two renewals, won in blow-out style by Kantharos (2010) and D'Funnybone (D'wildcat)

(2009). The likeliest candidate to prolong the trend -- smashing Sanford S. (G2)

winner Overdriven (Tale of the Cat) -- deliberately left this $150,000 contest

out of his datebook, with a view toward the September 5 Hopeful S. (G1). In his

absence, the Spa has attracted six juveniles from a variety of circuits, five

boasting perfect records, and none an unambiguous standout.

Although Todd Pletcher won't be represented by Overdriven, the trainer will

still field an able deputy in debut maiden winner STAT (Unbridled's Song). A

$400,000 Keeneland April two-year-old in training purchase, the gray rallied

from several lengths off the pace to score going away as the 3-5 favorite at

Belmont Park. On the other hand, the form of that July 9 maiden has since taken

a couple of knocks, with the second- and third-place finishers being demolished

next time out at the Spa. Stat will get an opportunity to speak for himself

Monday, and John Velazquez will be back aboard.

Woodbine invaders BANNER BILL (Rockport Harbor) and INDIAN EVENING (Indian

Charlie), and the Wesley Ward-trained ITALO (With Distinction), will all be

trying dirt for the first time. Banner Bill, the most accomplished of the lot,

is undefeated from three starts on his home Polytrack. The Ralph Biamonte pupil

followed up his maiden win with a 5 3/4-length romp in the June 18 Victoria S.,

but lost his focus in the July 16 Colin S. and had to come again to prevail.

Alex Solis picks up the mount on the Illinois-bred gelding, who will carry the

top weight of 122 pounds.

Indian Evening brings strong maiden-winning form into his stakes bow. Bet

down to 6-5 favoritism in his first start at Woodbine on July 10, the Josie

Carroll trainee rallied to defeat Buongiorno Johnny (Mr. Greeley), who

subsequently broke his maiden in the Vandal S. Indian Evening is also bred for

two-year-old success: he is out of a half-sister to Favorite Trick (Phone

Trick), hero of the 1997 Saratoga Special en route to a rare Horse of the Year

title as a juvenile. Rajiv Maragh takes the call.

Interestingly, the Woodbine pair are the only entrants with wins at six

furlongs, and they'll be covering just a little more ground in the 6 1/2-furlong

Saratoga Special.

Italo, part of Ward's Royal Ascot team, has raced only on European turf so

far. Successful in a dash at Longchamp on May 26, the Florida-bred gelding

contested the June 14 Coventry S. (Eng-G2), where he was unhappy on the ground

and faded to last. Italo ought to find himself at home on American dirt, and

figures to flash early speed with regular rider Jeffrey Sanchez. He also adds

first-time Lasix.

UNION RAGS (Dixie Union) has made the shorter trip up from Delaware Park. The

$390,000 Fasig-Tipton Florida Sale graduate launched a middle move before

rolling to a daylight victory at first asking, and has been firing bullets for

Michael Matz. Rounding out the field is pace factor TRINNIBERG (Teuflesberg),

who steps up off a wire-to-wire, 5 3/4-length debut score at Calder on July 8

for Bisnath Parboo.