Litfin's preview: New York-breds on turf
Statebred turf runners share spotlight
Some familiar New York-bred turf runners run in Sunday’s co-featured $125,000 stakes scheduled for 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf, the Ashley T. Cole for males (race 4) and the John Hettinger (race 9) for fillies and mares.
The A.T. Cole and John Hettinger serve as prep races for the Mohawk and the Ticonderoga, a pair of $200,000 stakes that are part of New York Showcase Day on Oct. 18.
King Kreesa and Lubash square off for the sixth time in the A.T. Cole, after running one-two around Saratoga’s inner turf and winding up heads apart in the West Point Stakes three weeks ago.
The West Point was the first start of the year for King Kreesa, who captured the Kingston, Poker, and Mohawk in 2013 for former trainer Jeremiah Englehart, and wore a bar shoe in the West Point for new trainer David Donk.
“I was curious as to how he would come out of it, but he was bright and steady and has trained very well,” said Donk.
Lubash has been as good as ever in four starts at age 7, recording Beyer Figures of 99-97-98-99 for Christophe Clement.
Effie Trinket, who was third behind Grade 1 winners Dayatthespa and Discreet Marq in a tough renewal of the Yaddo Stakes on Aug. 24, looks for her first win since last fall, when she swept the John Hettinger and the Ticonderoga in photo finishes for Rick Violette Jr.
Mah Jong Maddnes beat Effie Trinket in the Mount Vernon earlier this year. The homebred mare may rebound after running fifth in the Yaddo, as she is 5-1-3 from 13 starts on turf at Belmont, and just 1-1-1 from 12 starts elsewhere.
Pick six carryover
Saturday’s pick six results were so tough that the 4-of-6 consolation was worth $156. There is a carryover of $25,336 into Sunday’s sequence on races 5-10.
Post for race 5 is 3:09 p.m. Eastern.
Horse to watch
ALDRIN
Trainer: Chad Brown
Last race: Sept. 12, 1st
Finish: 2nd by 2 1/2
Beyer: 76
After chasing Hopeful winner Competitive Edge in his debut, this $1 million half-brother to Tapit showed big improvement second time out, battling for the lead to midstretch and getting the runner-up spot over favored Money Changer.