Army Wife stepping up to face the big girls at Saratoga
Visually and on Beyer Speed Figures, Army Wife is getting better and better as her 3-year-old season unfolds. A distant third in the April 3 Gazelle, where she got an 82 Beyer, Army Wife went on to win the May 13 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico with an 86 Beyer before dominating the Iowa Oaks at Prairie Meadows on July 2.
Army Wife stalked the pace, always traveling comfortably under Joel Rosario, and easily drew away to score by 3 3/4 lengths, notching a career-best 90 Beyer in the 1 1/16-mile contest.
It looks like the filly, by Declaration of War out of Tread, by Arch, could handle more distance and a class hike, and she is likely to get both in her next start. Mike Maker, who trains Army Wife for Paradise Farms, said the filly will be considered for two Grade 1’s at Saratoga, the Coaching Club American Oaks over 1 1/8 miles on July 24 and the Alabama over 1 1/4 miles on Aug. 21.
“She’s progressing nicely through every race,” Maker said. “We’re really looking forward to the rest of the year.”