Paid Up Subscriber tries to continue Kentucky's recent stakes success

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs ended its spring meet July 2, but the impact of Kentucky racing started being felt that same day in other jurisdictions.

In an eight-day span (July 2-9), horses based at Churchill and nearby training facilities won more than a dozen stakes at other North American tracks in what amounts to a remarkable advertisement for racing in this state.

Catch a Glimpse (Grade 1 Belmont Oaks), World Approval (Grade 1 United Nations), Sir Dudley Digges (Queen’s Plate), and Fish Trappe Road (Grade 3 Dwyer) are just some who have been touting the strength of Kentucky-based runners. Many of those horses are being relocated to Saratoga for the meet that runs July 22 to Sept. 5. That roster of invading winners is eligible to grow longer this weekend when Delaware Park and Indiana Grand stage their biggest stakes days of the year.

Al Stall Jr. is among the trainers who have left Louisville for the moment but will be back to compete at the rich Kentucky Downs meet (Sept. 3-15). Stall is setting up shop again at Saratoga. Paid Up Subscriber will van down from upstate New York to Delaware for the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap on Saturday.

“I’m sure all of us Kentucky guys getting ready for Saratoga are hoping that kind of trend continues,” said Stall, who has 18 stalls at Saratoga. “Obviously, I’d like to see it continue this weekend in Delaware.”

Paid Up Subscriber, owned by Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence, is the second choice on the track’s morning line behind I’m a Chatterbox in a field of six fillies and mares in the $750,000 Delaware Handicap after breaking through with a career-best effort in her last start, a win in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis on June 18 at Churchill.

“We love the way she ran last time, getting her final furlong in less than 12 seconds in her first start around two turns,” said Stall.

Paid Up Subscriber arrived July 5 at Saratoga and was sent through a workout Monday over the Oklahoma training track, getting a half-mile in 47.80 seconds.

“It was a wonderful breeze, it really was,” said Stall.