Fort George invades Saratoga for Bowling Green

After European shippers swept last weekend’s Belmont Derby (G1) and Belmont Oaks (G1), British-based Fort George aims to keep the international momentum going in Saturday’s $250,000 Bowling Green (G2) at Saratoga.

Trained by Ed Walker for Mrs. Fitri Hay, the progressive four-year-old crossed swords with high-profile Godolphin runners during the Dubai Carnival. Fort George scored a breakthrough when edging Arabian Light in the Jan. 30 Dubai Millennium (G3), and he forced globetrotter extraordinaire Rebel’s Romance to pull out extra in the Feb. 28 Dubai City of Gold (G2). 

“For a few strides, we thought we were going to give Rebel’s Romance a bit of a fright,” Walker told NYRA publicity. “Rebel’s Romance is a legend of international horse racing, so it was amazing to be in the same competition as him, let alone finish second. He’s a cool horse.”

The Dubai Turf (G1) on Dubai World Cup night was an opportunistic afterthought, once Fort George was stuck in the region due to the outbreak of hostilities. His ninth behind the brilliant Ombudsman therefore isn’t an indicator of how well he fits the 1 3/8-mile Bowling Green. 

“He’s a very tough horse, very genuine,” Walker said. “I think he’s improving. He’s a tall, leggy horse. He was very backwards at two. There wasn’t much of him, and now he’s filled his frame. He’s still narrow and gangly, but he’s improving all the time, and he’s got the right temperament for it.

“We thought with him being a Group 3 winner that life might be a bit tough at the highest level here (in Europe). So we thought we’d explore options abroad and hunt around for prize money.”

If Fort George adapts to U.S. conditions, the Territories gelding would put himself into the equation for the Aug. 15 Christophe Clement Turf (G1). The stakes, formerly known as the Sword Dancer, serves as a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

Carson’s Run, a multiple Grade 1 winner for the late Clement, could be rounding back into form for his son and successor, Miguel. That point applies with even greater force to Mike Maker’s Ole Crazy Bone, the reigning Kentucky Turf Cup (G2) hero who tuned up with a second in a Churchill Downs allowance. 

Minaret Station, a fast-finishing second to Lagynos in the Arlington (G3), brings considerable upside on the step up in distance. The Will Walden pupil appeared to be going places after big wins at both two and three, only to be shelved. Perhaps OXO Equine’s homebred son of Instilled Regard and Beau Recall can stay healthy enough to compile an entire campaign as a four-year-old.

Desvio exits a fourth to Just a Touch and Soleil Volant in the Cape Henlopen S. at Delaware Park, but his prior Keeneland form makes him intriguing. The 34-1 upsetter of last October’s Sycamore (G2), Desvio, was best of the rest behind the dominant Burnham Square in the April 18 Elkhorn (G2).

Rounding out the field are Carcano, who is cross-entered to a Sunday allowance at Colonial Downs, and the main-track-only entrants Yo Daddy, Kinetic, and Dr. Kraft. 

Earlier on the Saturday card, classy female sprinter Zeitlos tries the $250,000 Caress (G2) for the third time. The Steve Asmussen mare is best known as a dirt performer, but she has run well enough on the turf to warrant another chance. Runner-up in last year’s running after a belated fifth in 2024, Zeitlos hopes for a similar degree of improvement this time.

The contentious 5 1/2-furlong turf dash has also attracted course-and-distance aficionado Italian Soiree, heroine of last summer’s Coronation Cup (G3) and recently second in the Intercontinental (G2); Giant’s Causeway (G2) winner In Our Time, coming off a fifth in the Intercontinental; Movin’ On Up, typically a miler but capable on the cutback, as evidenced by her third in the Giant’s Causeway; and streaking class climber Sunna.