McLaughlin horses look strong in two weekend stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin will have major contenders in two of this weekend’s stakes at Saratoga, sending out Sayaad in Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Fourstardave and Cavorting in Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack.
Sayaad returned from a nearly nine-month layoff to win the Forbidden Apple Stakes over yielding turf at Belmont on July 4, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 103.
Sayaad, a son of Street Sense, had been off for so long due to several foot abscesses. McLaughlin feared Sayaad might have to miss the Fourstardave when the horse spiked a fever a few weeks ago that caused him to miss two days of training. But the horse quickly bounced back and has trained satisfactorily since returning to the track.
“He’s ready to go,” McLaughlin said. “I thought we might not make it, but he worked great.”
Sayaad will be ridden by Jose Ortiz.
Among Sayaad’s expected opponents in the Fourstardave is Seek Again, runner-up to Wise Dan in the Woodford Reserve on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs. He worked four furlongs in 50.78 seconds Tuesday morning over the Oklahoma dirt training track.
Others expected to run include Silver Max, Big Screen, Grand Arch, Jack Milton, and maybe Dorsett.
Cavorting won her debut by 11 lengths at Belmont Park against three rivals.
“No dirt in her face, she won so easy, but she trains like a proper filly,” McLaughlin said. “She’s worked twice since and worked great both times.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Cavorting in the 6 1/2-furlong Adirondack.
Others pointing to the Adirondack are Angela Renee, Phoenix Park, Take Charge Brandi, Vivian Da Bling, and Wonder Gal.