Added distance should suit War Flag in Glens Falls

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Third start off the layoff, a switch to the leading jockey at the meet, and some added distance could all combine to help War Flag get her first North American stakes win Saturday when she runs in the Grade 3, $200,000 Glens Falls Stakes, the final event on a 12-race card at Saratoga.

War Flag, a 4-year-old daughter of War Front, went 3 for 5 in France, including a Group 3 stakes victory in July 2016. Coming off an 11-month layoff, War Flag won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race against males at Monmouth Park in June. Six weeks later, she finished second in the Grade 3 Matchmaker, a 1 1/8-mile race, at Monmouth where she went four wide in the stretch while the winner, Wekeela, got a dream inside run.

The Glens Falls is run at 1 3/8 miles, a distance trainer Shug McGaughey said is “probably going to suit her a little better even though I thought she was best in the Matchmaker. They came off the rail and let the winner through.”

McGaughey has liked the way War Flag has trained since the Matchmaker.

“The only thing that would worry me is the sharp turns here,” McGaughey said.

Jose Ortiz, vying for a second consecutive Saratoga riding title, has the mount.

Estrechada, winner of the Grade 3 Waya Stakes here Aug. 5, makes her third cross-country trip from California to New York. Two starts back, Estrechada finished sixth, only beaten 1 1/2 lengths, in the River Memories at Belmont Park.

Mike Puype, trainer of Estrechada, said the 6-year-old mare has done well enough since the race to warrant another trip here, but said the 1 3/8-mile distance is worrisome.

“I prefer a mile and a half to the mile and three eighths because sometimes those faster horses that go a mile and an eighth can make the distance,” Puype said. “She couldn’t be doing any better, she’s got good weight on her. I expect a good race out of her.”

Sarandia, a German-bred and -based mare trained by Peter Schiergen, came to the United States to run in the Grade 1 Beverly D. at Arlington Park where she finished sixth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths. She shipped here about a week after the Beverly D. to point for the Glens Falls.

Lottie and Summersault, second and third in the Waya, are back in this field along with Happyness, Grateful, Harmonize, and Sweet Sandy.

KEY CONTENDERS

War Flag, by War Front
Last 3 Beyers: 93-90-NA

◗ Beat males, including next-out winner Mugtaser, in her U.S. debut off an 11-month layoff then came back with a winning effort, though second, to Wekeela in Grade 3 Matchmaker.

◗ Appears to be able to finish, regardless of pace scenario.

“She’ll just gallop along, but she’ll finish when you ask her,” McGaughey said.

Sarandia, by Dansili
Last 3 Beyers: 98-NA-NA

◗ Off slow and made up some ground when beaten 2 1/2 lengths by Dacita in the Grade 1 Beverly D.

“We tried a different tactic with her, normally she’s more on the pace, they took her back,” assistant trainer Patrick Gibson said. “I think we’ll go a little bit more with the pace again on Saturday. I think that suits her more.”