Mark My Way, Old Harbor return in New York Stallion stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Linda Rice hopes an additional furlong makes no difference for her 3-year-old gelding Mark My Way. Trainer David Donk hopes an additional furlong makes all the difference for his trio of sophomore fillies – Lady Kreesa, Funky Munky Fever, and Selenite.

On Monday, Mark My May will seek his second straight victory in the $100,000 Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Stakes series, while Lady Kreesa, Funky Munky Fever, and Selenite will try to turn the tables on Old Harbor in the $100,000 Statue of Liberty division for 3-year-old fillies. Both races, open to progeny of New York-based stallions, are carded for one mile over Saratoga’s inner turf course.

Mark My Way won the Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Stakes at seven furlongs at Belmont on June 22. Two of the horses he beat that day, Free Mugatu and Social Rebellion, are back in this spot.

In the Cupecoy’s Joy division of the New York Stallion Stakes on June 22, Funky Munky Fever and Lady Kreesa finished second and third behind Old Harbor. Selenite finished a distant eighth.

Donk is hoping the two-turn mile helps his fillies while working against Old Harbor.

“I think they’re a little better at a route of ground,” Donk said. “The winner of the last division will be pretty tough. Even though she looked like she’s very good at one turn, that filly ran a pretty nice race. She should be a prohibitive favorite.”

Cab Calloway (Race 3)

Key Contenders

Mark My Way (Last 3 Beyers: 73-77-40)

Appreciated the turnback from 1 1/8 miles to seven furlongs in his second start off the layoff in winning the Spectacular Bid. He did win a two-turn, one-mile race by five lengths last November at Aqueduct.

“I wasn’t thrilled going from a mile and an eighth to seven-eighths, but I didn’t have any choice,” Rice said. “I’m happy with the way he’s coming into it, hoping for a big race.”

Free Mugatu (Last 3 Beyers: 72-72-71)

Came off a seven-month layoff with a strong second in his turf debut, finishing a half-length behind Mark My Way in the Spectacular Bid.

Was eliminated at the start of the New York Derby on dirt at Finger Lakes when he broke poorly and was bothered by several horses.

State of Liberty (Race 6)

Key Contenders

Old Harbor (Last 3 Beyers: 82-74-69)

When trainer Russell Cash removed blinkers, Old Harbor scored a dominant victory in the Cupecoy’s Joy division of the Stallion Stakes going seven furlongs at Belmont.

Her best performances on turf were on firm ground.

Lady Kreesa (Last 3 Beyers: 71-67-64)

After getting beat five lengths by Old Harbor in the Cupecoy’s Joy, Lady Kreesa will get blinkers for the first time in this spot.

“She’s breezed a couple of times in them, definitely more focused,” Donk said. “Even in her races, you can watch her and see she’s not as focused. I always thought [about blinkers], so I just tried to be a little patient and not put them on too soon.”

Funky Munky Fever (Last 3 Beyers: 73-72-48)

Second to Old Harbor at odds of 80-1 in the Cupecoy’s Joy and then came back to finish fourth, beaten two lengths, in a starter allowance that Donk felt was a pretty solid effort.

“It was a slow pace, and she finished up really well,” Donk said.

Takeoff Your Hat (Last 3 Beyers: 71-75-78)

Was good enough to defeat open company twice at Gulfstream Park for trainer Phil Serpe.

Was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Summer Solo, who is 3 for 3 against New York-breds, with her lone career loss being a third-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Oaks.