Litfin's preview: John Morrissey comes up strong
John Morrissey Stakes highlights card
A salty renewal of the John Morrissey contains eight accomplished New York-breds who have collectively earned more than $3.3 million, including 2012 Empire Classic winner Saratoga Snacks; and Big Business, a 10-time winner turning back to 6 1/2 furlongs after getting beat a head in the Evan Shipman at 1 1/8 miles.
Those two are tough to separate based on a line through Zivo, who beat both of them in photo finishes earlier this year before going on to win the Grade 2 Suburban.
Saratoga Snacks has been sidelined since January, and returns for new trainer Bill Mott. He breaks from the rail, which is the same position he was in when a troubled third in last year’s John Morrissey as the odds-on favorite.
“His previous form shows he can compete at that level,” said Mott. “I don’t think there’s a question of class. It’s just a question of if he can run well enough off the layoff.”
The pacesetter projects to be Moonlight Song, who most recently led through the opening half-mile of the Grade 3 Belmont Sprint Championship that was won in track-record time by Clearly Now.
Weekend Hideaway, West Hills Giant, and Amerback - the first three finishers in a July 11 allowance at Belmont - meet again in the Morrissey. Amberjack was making his first start since a runner-up finish in the Albany here last summer, and figures to improve with that race under his belt.
“He ran like a horse who might have needed the race,” said trainer Mike Hushion. “Six and a half might be a bit short for him, but if he takes a couple of big steps he’ll certainly be competitive.”
Street Girl among several stakes droppers in allowance
Street Girl, purchased by WinStar Farm and turned over to Todd Pletcher following a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Bed o’ Roses on June 21, drops to a second-level allowance at 1 1/8 miles carded as race 4.
Street Girl has campaigned primarily in graded stakes over the past year, including a close fourth in the Grade 1 Ballerina at 63-1.
Also dropping from graded stakes are Taketheodds and Courageous Julie, fifth and sixth in the Coaching Club American Oaks; and Penwith, who was beaten a neck in the Demoiselle last fall, and makes her first start since March 29 when off the board in the Gulfstream Park Oaks.
“She’s coming off of a few months, so we hope she runs well,” said Kiaran McLaughlin of Penwith. “We were hoping this would be an easier spot, but it came up pretty tough. It’s Saratoga.”
Horse to Watch
PENNYMINE
Trainer: Richard Schosberg
Last race: Aug. 13, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 6 3/4
Beyer: 56
Making her first start in four months, this New York-bred mare brushed the side of the gate and was away slowly, and raced four- to five-wide into the stretch chasing 4-5 shot Isabelle over a sealed wet track.