Calhoun looking to make new memories in Adirondack

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Last year’s Adirondack Stakes was one trainer Bret Calhoun would rather forget.

Calhoun sent out the 1-5 favorite, Fiftyshadesofgold, who was severely interfered with while trying to sneak through along the rail in deep stretch. Not only did Fiftyshadesofgold finish fourth – she was placed third by the stewards – she came out of the race with a fractured shin and a chip in a knee.

On Sunday, Calhoun hopes for a different memory when he sends out the undefeated Louisiana-bred Vivian Da Bling in the Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack Stakes at Saratoga.

Vivian Da Bling, a daughter of Too Much Bling, enters the Adirondack off two dominant wins at Lone Star Park. The way she’s done it has prompted Calhoun to take a shot against presumably tougher competition.

“She’s a very fast filly,” Calhoun said. “Obviously, she hasn’t been tested yet against this caliber of horses. There’s obviously some questions, but she’s done everything right so far. She’s beaten those fields very handily, very easily; she’s very quick. I think she’s continuing to get better all the time.”

Calhoun said he’s been happy with the way Vivian Da Bling has trained at Saratoga.

“Really, everything’s gone good for us,” he said. “We’re just going to see if she’s good enough.”

Rosie Napravnik rides Vivian Da Bling from post 6.

Vivian Da Bling’s early speed could be tested early by Take Charge Brandi and Cavorting, both to her inside. In the Grade 3 Schuylerville here on opening day, Take Charge Brandi dueled all the way around the track with Fashion Alert, succumbing to that one by 1 1/2 lengths. Take Charge Brandi is trained by D. Wayne Lukas, a six-time winner of the Adirondack.

Angela Renee, a debut winner at Belmont for Todd Pletcher, and Wonder Gal, a debut winner against mostly maidens in the Lynbrook Stakes at Belmont on July 6, are the two primary off-the-pace threats. Empress Humor and Phoenix Park complete the field.

Key Contenders

Vivian Da Bling (Beyers: 81-85)

◗ Trounced softer company at Lone Star, winning a maiden race by 9 1/2 lengths and a restricted stakes by 6 1/4 lengths, both in front-running style.

◗ Formulator Fact: Over the last five years, Calhoun is 5 for 25 in dirt sprint graded stakes, including a win in the Grade 3 Schuylerville here last year with Bahnah.

Wonder Gal (Beyer: 80)

◗ Beat nothing but rallied from last and split horses when winning the Lynbrook Stakes as a first-time starter by 14 1/2 lengths.

“I like the fact that when she did that, she did it so easily – she was just in a gallop the whole way – and she’s had that kind of experience,” trainer Leah Gyarmati said. “It wasn’t like she broke on top and went wire to wire.”

Angela Renee (Beyer: 82)

◗ Came from off the pace to win debut by 2 1/2 lengths at Belmont.

◗ Two horses she beat, Sunday Sonnet and High Dollar Woman, came back to win maiden races at Saratoga.

◗ Trainer Todd Pletcher is a three-time winner of the Adirondack.