Big Invasion putting it all together for Mahony Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Big Invasion has won five consecutive races, but his trainer, Christophe Clement, doesn’t think the 3-year-old son of Declaration of War has figured it all out yet.

“He’s still not quite there mentally,” Clement said. “You can see he’s getting there because he’s more settled in his race than he used to be. He used to fight the jock a little bit in his races and be a little bit erratic. He’s almost there.”

Big Invasion will take another step toward getting there Sunday when he heads a seven-horse field entered in the $150,000 Mahony Stakes at Saratoga. The Mahony, named for the family that helped develop the current parimutuel system, is scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs over the outer turf course.

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Big Invasion handled the 5 1/2 furlongs of the outer turf when he won the Grade 3 Quick Call by 2 3/4 lengths here July 17. He earned a career-best 100 Beyer Speed Figure.

Clement called Big Invasion’s effort that day almost perfect.

“It’s just when he’s in between horses he’s still a touch stronger than what you want,” Clement said.

Big Invasion, who breaks from post 2 on Sunday under Joel Rosario, has won his last two with a strong closing kick. That style figures to be useful given the presence of speed horses That’s Right and Surprise Boss in the seven-horse field.

That’s Right is an intriguing contender. Beaten twice for maiden-claiming $40,000 on dirt, That’s Right has reeled off three consecutive victories since trainer Michael Moore transferred him to turf and added blinkers to his equipment.

Moore said that on dirt That’s Right “would get the lead and kind of give it up late.”

“He’s real fast out of the gate,” he said. “He’s a different horse on the grass. Everything about him was different, his action, just the way he ran. Totally different. It really made him into a different horse for us thus far.”

While it looks like That’s Right could get engaged in a speed duel with Surprise Boss, Moore said he was afraid of something similar in the My Frenchman Stakes on July 17 at Monmouth, but That’s Right went gate to wire and won by 3 1/4 lengths.

“There was a bunch of speed in there, and I thought we’ll see how he runs when he has to go head and head,” Moore said. “They weren’t even close to him, which, honestly, surprised us. He put two or three lengths on them right away. We’ll see if he can get the lead on Sunday.”

Jockey Andy Hernandez rides That’s Right from post 5.

Determined Kingdom is 4 for 5 in turf sprints and is in from the Mid-Atlantic for trainer Phil Schoenthal. He is coming off a 5 1/2-length victory versus Virginia-breds in the Punch Line Stakes at Colonial Downs.

Editorial Comment, an Argentine-bred, makes his U.S. and turf debut in this spot. Trainer Kenny McPeek is adding blinkers to the colt’s equipment.

Cadamosto, fourth in a Group 2 at The Curragh on July 16, is in from Ireland for Joseph O’Brien. Sky and Sand, fourth in the Quick Call, completes the field.