Better expected from Yoshida in Hall of Fame Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Now that Good Samaritan has become a major player on dirt, it is up to Yoshida to carry the mantle for trainer Bill Mott and his ownership group in the 3-year-old male turf division.

Good Samaritan and Yoshida finished fourth and fifth in the Belmont Derby going 1 1/4 miles on turf July 8. Good Samaritan came out of the race to upset last Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy on dirt.

On Friday, Yoshida will look for a similar result in a highly competitive renewal of the Grade 2, $200,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes, scheduled for 1 1/16 miles over Saratoga’s Mellon turf course.

After an eye-catching last-to-first victory in the James Murphy Stakes at Pimlico on May 20, Yoshida was sent off as the 3-1 favorite in a field of 11 in the Belmont Derby. Though many, including Mott, believed the 1 1/4 miles of the Belmont Derby would be ideal for Yoshida, he faded to fifth in the final furlong.

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“I was a little disappointed that he didn’t go on,” said Mott, a 1998 Hall of Fame inductee and six-time winner of this race. “There again it was a slow pace, but he didn’t go on from the eighth pole. It was slightly puzzling. It wasn’t a complete stinker, but I expected a little bit more.”

Arklow ran a stinker in the Belmont Derby, finishing last as the 9-2 third choice. Prior to that, he won his first two starts on turf, including the Grade 2 American Turf over Good Samaritan at Churchill Downs. The American Turf was run at 1 1/16 miles.

Bricks and Mortar beat Big Handsome by a neck in the Manila Stakes at Belmont on July 4. The win kept Bricks and Mortar undefeated in three career starts. The loss was Big Handsome’s first in four turf tries.

Completing the field for turf are Snap Decision, Makarios, Bonus Points, Parlor, and Secretary At War. Caviar Czar was entered for the main track only.

KEY CONTENDERS

Yoshida, by Heart’s Cry

Last 3 Beyers: 89-89-86

◗ Won a maiden race at 1 1/8 miles on the lead and came from last to win the James Murphy before finishing a lackluster fifth in the Belmont Derby. Cutting back in distance may be exactly what Yoshida wants.

“The race at Pimlico was visually impressive, and that was only a mile,” Mott said.

Bricks and Mortar, by Giant’s Causeway

Last 3 Beyers: 90-87-84

◗ After winning his debut in February around two turns at Gulfstream, he cut a hind leg in his stall and needed a long time to heal, trainer Chad Brown said. He has come back with two nice wins, including an electric turn of foot off a slow pace to win the Manila.

“He’s shown his versatility in his first three starts,” Brown said. “Just place him wherever he’s comfortable.”

Big Handsome, by Street Boss

Last 3 Beyers: 89-98-94

◗ Traffic trouble compromised his chances in the Manila, but he remains a question mark around two turns and 1 1/16 miles.

“I don’t have a concern about the distance,” trainer Tony Dutrow said. “I do respect the fact he has not done two turns.”

Arklow, by Arch

Last 3 Beyers: 74-92-89

◗ Trainer Brad Cox felt that perhaps he ran a short horse when Arklow tried the 1 1/4-mile Belmont Derby off a two-month layoff. Shows two decent half-mile breezes over the Oklahoma turf course here.