Schuylerville returns to highlight Saratoga's opening day

A field of nine two-year-old fillies has been entered to go six furlongs in

the Schuylerville S. (G3) on Wednesday when Saratoga opens the doors on its

138th season of racing. Returning after a one-year hiatus, the 88th running of the

Schuylerville is the start of the juvenile series for fillies, which continues

in the August 16 Adirondack S. (G2) and culminates in the Spinaway S. (G1) on

September 3.

For now, the Schuylerville takes center stage, with top trainers Bill

Mott, Todd Pletcher, D. Wayne Lukas and Allen Jerkens all sending out maiden

winners. However, the only stakes-tested miss in the field comes from the shedrow of conditioner Kelly Breen, who sends out Astoria S. victress DESIRE TO

EXCEL (Mt. Livermore). The chestnut lass broke her maiden prior to that start by

a neck, but the undefeated miss really shone when taking the Astoria by five lengths after

stalking the pace.

Among those she'll face are CHIEF OFFICER (Officer), BECKY'S FLUTE

(Parade Ground) and COTTON BLOSSOM (Broken Vow). All three are also undefeated,

breaking their maidens by easy margins in their first tries, and they will

get a three-pound weight allowance from 121-pound highweight Desire to Excel.

Chief Officer will lead the post parade under Cornelio Velasquez, and be

followed by EXPERTISE (Hennessy), Edgar Prado, 119; BARONESS THATCHER

(Johannesburg), Rafael Bejarano, 117; Becky's Flute, Kent Desormeaux, 119; ANGEL

ISLAND (Forestry), Shaun Bridgmohan, 119; FRANCES G (Officer), Calvin Borel,

119; AUDACIOUS CHLOE (More Than Ready), Garrett Gomez, 119; Cotton Blossom, John

Velazquez, 119; and Desire to Excel, Mike Smith.

Chief Officer and Baroness Thatcher will be coupled in the wagering.