SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Kentucky-based trainer Phil Bauer scored the first Saratoga stakes victory of his career over the weekend. Enjoying a solid summer, he’ll hope for the barn’s momentum to keep rolling as he eyes a big upset with one of his stable stars in the coming weeks. Halina's Forte, owned by Bauer's patron Rigney Racing, won the off-the-turf Galway Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday, diving to the inside in the final yards for a head victory in a field of four that resulted in a blanket finish. It was the second career stakes win for the filly, who won the Ruthless Stakes earlier this year at Aqueduct. "The filly deserves it," Bauer said. "That was a lot of fun. Big win for us, first black-type up here at Saratoga, and just over the moon. Every win up here is special, but this one was extra-special." :: Get Saratoga Clocker Reports straight from the morning workouts at the track. Available every race day. Through Sunday, Bauer had four wins from eight starts at this meet, pushing his career total at Saratoga to 21 wins. Bauer's remaining runners at this meet are expected to include Xigera in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on Aug. 23. Xigera won four stakes in 2023 – by far a career year for Bauer – including the Grade 2 Mother Goose and Grade 3 Falls City. This year, she is winless in three starts, with her best effort a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Shawnee in June at Churchill Downs. Xigera breezed a bullet five furlongs on the Saratoga main track Sunday morning in preparation for her assignment, going in company with Angkor, who is targeting the Grade 1 Forego on Aug. 24. Meanwhile, that same Sunday morning, Halina's Forte was reported to be in good order following her win, for which she earned a career-high 87 Beyer Speed Figure. Bauer has yet to select a next target for her. "I have no idea," he said. "Just happy to see her get back to the winner's circle. She runs her race every time." :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.