Dettori to ride opening week at Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The charismatic international riding star Frankie Dettori will ride at Saratoga over the first four days of the session, beginning with Friday’s opening-day card.

Dettori, who has never ridden at Saratoga, is coming to the United States at the behest of trainer Wesley Ward, for whom he guided Undrafted to a fourth-place finish last week at Newmarket in England.

“Frankie told me in the paddock before the race at Newmarket that he always wanted to ride at Saratoga but that he never had the opportunity to do so before,” said Ward. “So, I told him there is no better time than now and invited him to come over to ride for me opening weekend. I have about eight or nine horses I hope to run during the first four days of the meet, including Bessie’s Boy in the Sanford.”

Bessie’s Boy is undefeated in two starts and already is a stakes winner, having captured Belmont Park’s Tremont by six widening lengths June 20. The Sanford for 2-year-olds will be run Saturday, and the Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies is the feature Friday.

“I’ve got a couple of fillies nominated for the Schuylerville and will likely run at least one, which Frankie will ride,” said Ward.

Ward said he was quite pleased with Undrafted’s performance in the Group 1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Owned by Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker, Undrafted was defeated by less than two lengths while racing over a less-than-firm turf course for the first time.

“It rained the day before the race, and that kind of hurt us a bit,” said Ward. “Frankie got on Undrafted for the first time on Thursday and loved him but wasn’t as confident after he galloped him the next day once the course had become wet and got a little give in it. He said he just didn’t handle it as well. Frankie has always been overly gracious with all the people I’ve brought over to Europe, and I thought inviting him to come over to ride at Saratoga was a great way to repay him.”

Ward, who left Undrafted in England to run next month at York, will have about 25 horses bedded down at Saratoga this summer, including Grade 1 winner Judy the Beauty, whose main goal during the meet is the Grade 1 Ballerina on Aug. 23. Judy the Beauty has not started since finishing fourth as the 6-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Humana Distaff at Churchill Downs on May 3.