Havre de Grace likely for Personal Ensign

Owner Rick Porter says that his top older filly HAVRE DE GRACE (Saint Liam)

will more than likely run next in the August 28 Personal Ensign S. (G1) at

Saratoga. Porter made the announcement in a posting on his Fox Hill Farm

website.

"(Trainer) Larry (Jones) and I spent quite a bit of time talking about the

best spot for Havre de Grace's next race (Sunday) morning after watching a

couple of my horses breeze," Porter said. "We now think that the Personal Ensign

is probably our best spot because it gives us more time until the prep races at

Belmont October 1 That would set us up perfectly for the Breeders' Cup Classic

(G1) or the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (G1). Nothing is etched in stone yet,

but this looks like the game plan that Larry and I agree on."

Havre de Grace had also been under consideration for the September 3 Woodward

S. (G1) at Saratoga, which would have marked her first race against males.

The 1 1/4-mile Personal Ensign field might also include Blind Luck (Pollard's

Vision), who is also under consideration for the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar

on the same day.

Havre de Grace and Blind Luck have met six times previously over the past two

seasons, with Blind Luck holding a 4-2 advantage in the rivalry. The pair last

met in the July 16 Delaware H. (G2), with Blind Luck edging Havre de Grace by a

nose in a thrilling stretch duel. Havre de Grace was a decisive 3 1/4-length

winner over Blind Luck in their other meeting this year in the March 19 Azeri S.

(G3).

In between the Azeri and Delaware H., Havre de Grace won the Apple Blossom H.

(G1) by three parts of a length and the Obeah S. (G3) by 2 1/4 lengths.