Litfin's preview: Personal Ensign features Close Hatches
Close Hatches heads Personal Ensign
Making her first start since taking a hard-fought decision in the Ogden Phipps on June 7, Close Hatches is the one to beat in Friday’s $500,000 Personal Ensign (race 9).
Close Hatches ran her record to 3 for 3 this year when she prevailed in a tight finish over Princess of Sylmar, Antipathy, and Belle Gallantey in the Phipps, and she takes on those three again in search of her fifth Grade 1 triumph.
Although Close Hatches has never run at Saratoga, she is 4 for 4 off workouts at four different tracks, having won a maiden race as a first-time starter at Gulfstream; the Cotillion off a two-month layoff at Parx Racing; the Azeri at Oaklawn Park in her seasonal bow; and the Phipps nearly two months after taking the Apple Blossom.
“She’s always run very well when she’s had time between races,” said trainer Bill Mott.
After running second in the Phipps to Close Hatches and second again in the Delaware Handicap to Belle Gallantey, Princess of Sylmar, who is also a four-time Grade 1 winner, adds blinkers in her first Spa start since taking the 2013 Alabama.
“We trained her in blinkers a few times and got the effect we were looking for,” said Todd Pletcher. “It will be interesting to see what transpires, but she’s indicating she’s in very good form at the moment.”
Bern Identity returns to the Spa
Bern Identity, who won the Sanford and ran third in the Hopeful as a 2-year-old in 2012, returns to Saratoga for Kelly Breen in the $100,000 Tale of the Cat, which is race 3 on an 11-race program.
After missing most of last year, Bern Identity returned at Monmouth Park earlier this month to win a sloppy off-the-turf sprint stakes with a new top Beyer Figure of 91.
Among the others entered are Bahamian Squall, who ran second in the Grade 1 Alfred Vanderbilt here last year; and multiple stakes winner Royal Currier, who shoots for his 15th career victory.
Cigar Street back from layoff
Cigar Street, sidelined since taking the 2013 renewal of the Grade 3 Skip Away for Bill Mott, returns from a layoff of nearly 17 months in race 5 at 1 1/8 miles, a high-end optional claimer where nonwinners in 2014 do not have to run for the $80,000 tag.
From five route starts, Cigar Street’s only defeat came in the 2012 Louisiana Derby, when he came off a maiden win three weeks earlier and was beaten two lengths.
“He’s been off a long time,” said Mott. “Any horse that has been off that long and running against fit horses is going to be up against it. The distance is probably a good distance for him. I would probably rather run him a mile and an eighth than a flat mile just because of the difference in the style of races.”
Pick of the Litter, wide behind a slow pace in the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup last out, is a stretch threat for Dale Romans, who is still looking for his first win at the meet.
Horse to watch
HOBE WINS
Trainer; Graham Motion
Last race: Aug. 20, 7th
Finish: 5th by 3
Beyer: 75
Stretched out to a mile and switched to turf, this lightly raced 3-year-old filly lacked room along the inside through the stretch and galloped out with good energy past the wire.