Maker tests hot streak in Saratoga Derby and Saratoga Oaks
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A field of eight 3-year-olds, topped by the Christophe Clement pair of Decorated Invader and Gufo, was drawn Wednesday for Saturday’s $500,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational at 1 3/16 miles on the turf.
Field Pass might give Clement’s duo their stiffest challenge in the Saratoga Derby. Field Pass is trained by Mike Maker, who won three turf stakes, two of them graded, during the opening half of the meet.
Field Pass returns to Saratoga for the first time since his second-place finish a year ago in the Grade 3 With Anticipation. He enters the Saratoga Derby off a nose decision over Street Ready in Keeneland’s Grade 3 Transvlvania on July 12, his fourth win in five starts this season.
“He’s on top of his game right now,” Maker said. “He was really game to win his last start. He didn’t have the greatest of trips and still got up. I know Decorated Invader will be very tough, but we’re one break away from having an undefeated season ourselves. I guess this race will separate the men from the boys.”
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The remainder of the Saratoga Derby field consists of Bama Breeze, Colonel Liam, Domestic Spending, No Word, and Get Smokin
Maker also will be in action Sunday in the Saratoga Oaks Invitational with Stunning Sky, who finished second, beaten a head by Speaktomeofsummer, in the Grade 2 Lake Placid here July 19. The top four finishers from the 1 1/8-mile Lake Placid are all expected to return in the 1 3/16-mile Oaks.
“Tough beat last time, but I think the added distance should help her, too,” Maker said. “She’s a real big filly who has been crying out for more ground all year.”