Irish Jasper has new owner for Test

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Whitney won’t be the only Grade 1 race in which owner Will S. Farish will have an interest Saturday at Saratoga. Farish has purchased the 3-year-old filly Irish Jasper, who puts her three-race winning streak on the line in the Grade 1, $500,000 Test Stakes at seven furlongs.

The Test drew a field of 10, including Take Charge Brandi, last year’s champion 2-year-old filly; Cavorting, the winner of the Jersey Girl Stakes last out; and Wonder Gal, the runner-up in the Grade 1 Mother Goose who was a late addition to the field. Irish Jasper drew the rail.

Derek Ryan, the trainer and previous owner of Irish Jasper, said the deal to sell his filly was completed last week. Ryan said he will be the trainer for the Test but isn’t sure what will happen thereafter.

“I’m in the business of selling,” Ryan said Wednesday. “I’m glad she didn’t sell earlier. She’s worth more money.”

Irish Jasper has gone 6 for 7 sprinting, including consecutive victories in the Grade 3 Miss Preakness at Pimlico in May and the Grade 3 Victory Ride at Belmont on July 4. She is 2 for 2 at seven furlongs.

“This is the race I’ve been aiming for since Day 1,” Ryan said. “If it goes to plan, she’ll be right there.”

Cavorting, who won the Jersey Girl Stakes at Belmont on June 5 and the Grade 2 Adirondack here last August, could go off as the slight favorite. By the Moon, who won the Grade 1 Frizette last year, is coming off a second-place finish to Curalina in the Grade 1 Acorn at Belmont on June 6.

Others entered include Angela Renee, Bar of Gold, Kathballu, Pleasant Tales, and So You Say.