Call Paul tops Saratoga Special field

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – On Thursday, trainer Jason Servis won his first stakes of the Saratoga meet when World of Trouble won the Quick Call. He will aim at many more over the second half of the Saratoga summer.

On Sunday, which officially kicks off the second half of the meet, Servis will send out Call Paul in the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special for 2-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Call Paul, a son of Friesan Fire, won his debut on July 5 at Delaware Park by 2 1/4 lengths, dueling with Mind Control early before putting that one away. He then proceeded to gallop out extremely well.

“Always liked that horse since I had him,” Servis said. “He ran a big number on all figures. We think he’s a good horse.”

Servis also nominated Lutsky, a New York-bred, to the Saratoga Special, but he elected to point him to the $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes for statebreds here Aug. 24.

Call Paul, who will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. in the Saratoga Special, was one of six entered Thursday for the 6 1/2-furlong race.

Trainer Steve Asmussen entered both Tight Ten and Sir Truebadour, who won the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill on June 30. Todd Pletcher entered Meade, a debut winner at Belmont on July 7, and Spinoff, a debut winner at Gulfstream on June 23. Stage Left, a debut winner at Keeneland for Wesley Ward, completes the field.