Dead-heat duo get a rematch in turf stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Followers of New York politics probably had the exacta - or at least a hearty chuckle - when Ninth Client dead-heated for win with Skipadate in a maiden turf race here on Aug. 4.

That pair of juvenile colts will meet as part of an eight-horse field entered in Friday's $80,000 With Anticipation Stakes at 1 1/16 miles over Saratoga's Mellon Turf Course. Nownownow, last year's With Anticipation winner, came back to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. The With Anticipation shares billing with the $80,000 Love Sign, an overnight stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Friday's card begins at 2:45 p.m.

Ninth Client, owned by Marylou Whitney, is named in honor of former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who was revealed as Client No. 9 in a pay-for-sex scandal that cost him his governorship. Ninth Client did all the dirty work in that Aug. 4 race, setting the pace before being passed by Lime Rickey in midstretch. Ninth Client overtook Lime Rickey, and finished on even terms with Skipadate, who came flying down the center of the turf course under Shaun Bridgmohan.

D. Wayne Lukas, the trainer of Ninth Client, said he was just taking a shot when he tried the horse on the turf. However, Lukas said the horse has "improved off that race."

With his rail post, Ninth Client figures to be on the lead again under Julien Leparoux.

The connections of Skipadate were expecting a good effort from their horse in that race and got it despite a traffic-filled trip. Norman Casse, assistant trainer to his father, Mark, believes his horse has improved off that effort.

"His first turf breeze before he ran was not as impressive as his dirt breezes were at Churchill," Norman Casse said. "His turf breeze the other day was super impressive. We don't have any reason to believe he's not going to improve off his first effort."

Skipadate breaks from the outside post under Bridgmohan.

Uncle T Seven could offer some value for trainer John Morrison. Uncle T Seven was defeated by a nose in the off-the-turf Continental Mile at Monmouth Park, his first start after being purchased privately.

"He was a nose in front before the wire and a nose in front after the wire," Morrison said. "He ran his eyeballs out. There was a little bit of an inside bias, but I can't fault his effort."

Bittel Road, Double Domino, and the filly High Cry make up a three-horse uncoupled entry from trainer Todd Pletcher.

In the Love Sign, Over Under looms the horse to catch for Dallas Stewart and Robby Albarado.