Joseph's meet on the line this weekend
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saffie Joseph Jr. went 3 for 4 at Aqueduct with two stakes wins, including the Grade 1 Carter Handicap. Joseph went 8 for 28 at the Belmont Park spring/summer, highlighted by Drain the Clock’s victory in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens.
What type of meet will Joseph have at Saratoga? Ask him Sunday.
“This week’s our meet,” said Joseph, who has gotten off to a 1-for-7 start through the first nine days at Saratoga.
Joseph runs Collaborate in Friday’s $120,000 Curlin Stakes, Mischevious Alex in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, and Drain the Clock in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes.
In the Curlin, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, Collaborate is making a second attempt at two turns. Following his 12 1/2-length maiden score going a one-turn mile in February, Collaborate ran in the Florida Derby at 1 1/8 miles where he appeared to be cruising just behind horses before backing up and finishing 14 3/4 lengths behind Known Agenda.
Collaborate returned to sprinting in the Roar Stakes, but finished third behind stablemates Moonlight Strike and Lauda Speed. Following that race, Collaborate underwent a throat procedure, known as a Llewellyn, and he responded with a 5 1/4-length victory in a first-level allowance going a mile on June 20.
“I thought it helped in the mile race. He sat in a tight spot and when it was time to go he quickened,” Joseph said. “That’s the reason for going back to two turns again.”
Collaborate drew post 6 in a seven-horse field headed by First Captain, the undefeated winner of the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes in his last start. Miles D, Snow House, Harvard, Beren, and Dynamic One round out the field. Beren could be entered back in Sunday’s Amsterdam.
After winning the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint at six furlongs and the Grade 1 Carter at seven, Mischevious Alex finished third behind Silver State and By My Standards in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.
Joseph went into that race somewhat suspect about Mischevious Alex’s ability at a mile. He came out of the race believing the horse could indeed handle a mile, and said that the Grade 1 Cigar Mile on Dec. 4 is a long-range target.
However, the Vanderbilt and the Grade 1 Forego here on Aug. 28 are the races Joseph is honed in on. Mischevious Alex completed preparations for the Vanderbilt by working a half-mile in 48.53 seconds Monday morning over Saratoga’s main track, in company with Awesome Gerry.
“I think he’s as good as any horse out there going six or seven,” Joseph said. “He’s coming into the race in good form. All being well, it’s going to take a really good horse to beat him.”
Mischevious Alex is the 124-pound highweight in the Vanderbilt. He is expected to face a talented group including Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Whitmore (123 pounds), Firenze Fire (122), Strike Power (118), Lexitonian (118), Miles Ahead (118), and Three Technique (117).
Joseph also has Chance It nominated to the Vanderbilt, but said that horse is most likely going to wait until the Grade 1 Forego to make his next start.
Drain the Clock beat Jackie’s Warrior in the Woody Stephens and is slated to face that two-time Grade 1 winner again in Sunday’s Amsterdam Stakes. Drain the Clock has won 6 of 8 starts, with one of his losses coming when his jockey was unseated after his boot broke in the stirrup.
On Monday, Drain the Clock worked five furlongs in 48.89 seconds in company with Daria’s Angel, getting his last quarter in 23.44 seconds.
“He’s trained tremendous, his last two breezes have been his best ever,” Joseph said. “Today was an easy breeze, but just the way he galloped out, he doesn’t gallop out like that. He normally pulls up around the bend.”
Others mentioned as possible for the Amsterdam are impressive debut winner River Dog, Papetu, Flash of Mischief, and Upstriker.
Joseph has stakes earmarked for Wind of Change (Tale of the Cat on Aug. 13) and Math Wizard (Alydar on Aug. 6), but this weekend will likely dictate how his meet goes.