Elegant Taste's trainer explains why she's in the Glens Falls

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When one sees Elegant Taste entered in Thursday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga, the first thought is the filly was entered in the wrong race.

Just two weeks ago, the 4-year-old filly won a $10,000 claiming race at Penn National, a race originally scheduled for turf but run on dirt.

She was claimed out of that race by owner Janet Quaintance and trainer Carl O’Callaghan. She will run in Thursday’s 1 1/2-mile race for trainer Lawrence Smith.

Despite the fact Elegant Taste has yet to race on turf or beyond 1 1/16 miles, or in a stakes, Smith said Elegant Taste being in the Glens Falls is not a misprint.

Smith noted that Elegant Taste’s second dam, Dance Away Capote, was a six-time stakes winner, including the Grade 3 Noble Damsel on turf. Elegant Taste’s dam, Tennessee Whiskey, won her maiden on turf.

Smith also believes Elegant Taste’s best race came in a front-running win for $12,500 claiming run over the synthetic surface at Presque Isle Downs.

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“It’s fun that she’s won three in a row and the way she’s won it. If you watch her, she actually accelerates again when someone gets to her tail,” Smith said.

Smith also harkened back to 1992, when he brought Big Big Affair to Saratoga for the Waya Stakes. He had claimed her earlier in her career for $6,500. In the Waya, she set the pace and finished third in a field of 10 at odds of 22-1.

Smith said he would like to see Elegant Taste on the lead Thursday, but noted the other speed horse in the field, Vergara, might take that spot.

“We know she can go three-quarters in 1:15,” Smith said. “We just don’t know if she can do it twice.”

Smith said at the very least it’s an opportunity to run in a graded stakes in Saratoga.

“We’re going to have a nice vacation in Saratoga,” he said. “It’s a new owner, never been to Saratoga. Now she’s going to be in the paddock with the country’s elite. Great experience.”

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