Kantharos returns in Saratoga Special

KANTHAROS (Lion Heart), whose two jaw-dropping victories at Churchill Downs

signaled him as one of the early-season leaders in the juvenile division, will

make his much anticipated upstate New York debut on Monday in the $150,000

Saratoga Special S. (G2), the final major local prep for the Hopeful S. (G1)

on Labor Day, September 6.

A representative of Stonestreet Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen, Kantharos

strolled home by 11 3/4 lengths in the slop in his debut on May 13, then

returned on July 3 to contest the Bashford Manor S. (G3). Despite stumbling at

the break, Kantharos comfortably reached contention soon after and went on to

triumph by an emphatic 9 1/2 lengths. Garrett Gomez will replace the recently

injured Robby Albarado aboard Kantharos in the 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga Special.

SOVEREIGN DEFAULT (Northern Afleet) is the stronger half of the Rick

Violette-trained entry, and with Alan Garcia named to ride both he and BAIL OUT

THE CAT (Tale of the Cat), it is likely only one will race. Sovereign Default

captured his July 15 debut at Belmont Park by two lengths over a good track,

earning a 99 BRIS Speed rating. His close-to-the-pace style should ensure

Kantharos will have no easy time of things.

Bail Out the Cat was also a smart debut winner for Violette, scoring by 2 1/4

lengths at Belmont in early June. However, his luck changed dramatically as the

favorite in the July 25 Sanford S. (G3), where he was caught flat-footed at the

start after acting up in the gate. Conceding the leaders many lengths after

hitting the gate upon leaving, he only passed a couple rivals in the final

furlong.

The remainder of the field have much to find. WETZEL (Successful Appeal) and

BLUE RIGHT BY (Bluegrass Cat) both graduated in Kentucky during the spring, but

went unplaced in their respective stakes debuts. First-time starter MANCHURIAN

HIGH (The Daddy), a $1,000 yearling purchase out of an unraced mare, looks very

much out of place in this spot.