Natalie Victoria's best wins Summer Colony

By David Grening

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – If the Natalie Victoria that ran during the winter and early spring shows up Monday, then the $100,000 Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga should be simple. Natalie Victoria is the fastest horse in the field, she is the lone speed and any of her races at Aqueduct makes her better than the competition.

Now, if the Natalie Victoria who failed to show up in last month’s Grade 2 Molly Pitcher at Monmouth Park is the one we see on Monday, then the Summer Colony becomes a wide-open affair. The other five fillies and mares in the field all look similar.

After winning four of five starts – with a second-place finish to Belle Gallantey mixed in – Natalie Victoria was just dreadful in the Molly Pitcher, folding her tent early and finishing last as the 3-2 favorite.

Michelle Nevin, who claimed Natalie Victoria for owner Jimmy Riccio for $12,500 last December, said Natalie Victoria was a little quiet in the paddock and got a little hot in the post parade, but otherwise she’s at a loss to explain the non-effort.

Nevin, who has kept Natalie Victoria at Belmont, said she has seen signs that indicate Natalie Victoria can rebound.

“I feel like she’s coming into this race a lot better,” Nevin said. “She’s much brighter, on her toes, I hope she’s got it all together this time.”

Natalie Victoria is the only member of the field to have won at the Summer Colony distance of 1 1/8 miles, beating Endless Chatter by six lengths. Endless Chatter, who is also in this field, came back to win a pair of allowance races at Parx.

South Andros, trained by Maryland-based Rodney Jenkins, has won three of her last four dirt races and finished second in the other. Ambusher finished a good third in the Grade 3 Obeah last out before finishing fourth in the Grade 3 Shuvee in the mud.

Key Contenders

Natalie Victoria (Last 3 Beyers 52-97-99)

Since being claimed for $12,500 in December, Natalie Victoria has three wins and a second in four starts. Threw in a dud as the 3-2 favorite in the Grade 2 Molly Pitcher.

“Training-wise, she hasn’t missed a beat since,” Nevin said. “She’s bouncing around the place.”

On paper, Natalie Victoria looms the lone speed under Jose Ortiz.

South Andros (Last 3 Beyers 76-83-84)

Comes off a second-place finish to Majestic River in the Lighthouse Stakes at Monmouth. Majestic River came back to win the Molly Pitcher.

Rodney Jenkins, the trainer of South Andros, said his filly drifted out turning for home in the Lighthouse, “which she has a tendency to do,” Jenkins said. “I’ve worked on this a little bit since that race. We’ll see if it does any good.”

Ambusher (Last 3 Beyers 91-91-83)

Filly is winless in six stakes tries, though her third in the Grade 3 Obeah two back was a solid effort.

Her only two wins have come sprinting at Canterbury.

Formulator Fact: Trainer Ian Wilkes is 3 for 27 in stakes races at Saratoga the last five years.