McLaughlin outbreaks the field

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has gotten off to a blazing start at this meeting, winning with six of his first eight runners, including Girl Talk in Monday’s first race and Watershed in the seventh.

McLaughlin kicked off the meet with wins on opening day by Sentiero Italia and Takrees. He won two more Sunday with Farhaan and Gap Year, who returned $42.80. Last year, Gap Year won here on closing day as the 2-1 favorite.

“I like this,” McLaughlin said. “We often finish strong. This year, we’re off to a quick start.”

After not having any runners Wednesday, McLaughlin has two horses entered in Thursday’s third race, a New York-bred maiden race. He starts the uncoupled entry of Benevolence and James Lane.

Benevolence likely will be favored while coming off a narrow loss to next-out winner Jet Black. James Lane, a son of Bernardini, will be making his first start for McLaughlin, his first against New York-breds, his first as a gelding, and will be racing on Lasix for the first time.