Hot Stones steps up to major leagues

ELMONT, N.Y. – Hot Stones, the dominant 9 1/4-length winner of the Saratoga Dew Stakes for New York-breds at Saratoga, will take on Grade 1 winners Wedding Toast and Curalina in Saturday’s Grade 1, $400,000 Beldame Stakes.

Hot Stones tried Grade 1 company last year and finished last in the Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga. She wrenched an ankle in that race and, after two losses to begin her season, has won her last two impressively.

“I’ll take the blame for her two defeats this year,” trainer Bruce Levine said. “She just wasn’t as fit as I thought she was.”

Wedding Toast makes her first start since winning the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps going 1 1/16 miles here on Belmont Stakes Day. She missed a little training time during the summer when she was being pointed to the Personal Ensign but has been working regularly since Aug. 20.

Curalina won the Grade 1 Acorn here on Belmont Stakes Day.

Completing the field are Call Pat, the Groupie Doll Stakes winner, and Catch My Drift, the Summer Colony Stakes winner.

The Beldame will go as the fifth race.