Carameaway to go to the lead in Saratoga Dew title defense
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Coming off a win, a stellar work, and breaking from the rail with a short run to the first turn in 1 1/8-mile races at Saratoga, it’s hard not to think that Carameaway stands a pretty good chance of successfully defending her title Monday in the $100,000 Saratoga Dew for New York-bred fillies and mares.
Carameaway returned from an 11-week hiatus to register a 3 1/2-length victory in the 2014 Saratoga Dew. This summer, the homebred daughter of Lawyer Ron, owned by Richard Greeley, enters the race off an easy and popular one-mile allowance win at Belmont Park on June 24.
“She’d had a hard campaign, so I gave her some time off prior to this race last summer,” said trainer Mitch Friedman. “I think she’s coming in Monday 100 percent better than last year, especially after watching that last work. It’s the best I’ve seen her go in a long time.”
Carameaway sizzled four furlongs in 46.52 seconds and galloped out five-eighths in 59.89 here last Monday.
Friedman also is making no bones about his strategy with Carameaway coming out of the No. 1 post with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard.
“I think it’s pretty obvious what we’re going to do,” Friedman said when asked if Carameaway would be sent right to the lead.
Carameaway will face nine rivals in the Saratoga Dew, with Hot Stones seemingly the chief threat. Hot Stones also is coming off a one-mile victory at Belmont, defeating open company by three widening lengths and earning a 93 Beyer Speed Figure on June 24. The win was her first since she outgamed Merry Meadow for a well-deserved nose decision in the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses Handicap at Belmont one year ago.
Key Contenders
Carameaway (Last 3 Beyers: 85-65-83)
◗ Rajiv Maragh, sidelined due to injury, has been her main rider over the past couple of seasons, with Ortiz getting the call for the Saratoga Dew.
“A couple of other top jockeys wanted the mount, but Irad had ridden her before, knows the filly, was available, and I’m happy to have him,” said Friedman.
◗ She’s only been nine furlongs once before, when winning this race last year.
“Even though she’s won a lot of races at a mile, I think two turns is actually better for her,” said Friedman.
Hot Stones (Last 3 Beyers: 93-77-62)
◗ She’s tried the distance just once, running a creditable third over a muddy track in the Grade 3 Shuvee Handicap here a year ago.
◗ She breaks from a tough post at this distance considering there hasn’t been a single winner from post 8 or beyond at 1 1/8 miles from 20 starters this summer, nor a winner from post 9 on out since 2012.
Saythreehailmary’s (Last 3 Beyers 83-83-68)
◗ She’s the only multiple winner in 2015 in the field and is in her best form, having posted her top Beyer Speed Figure, an 83, in three of her last four starts.