Plenty of depth in Bowling Green

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Saturday’s $250,000 Bowling Green at Saratoga may be listed as a Grade 2, but it could rival most Grade 1 turf stakes run anywhere this year.

The nine-horse field for the 1 3/8-mile turf stakes drew three Grade 1 winners – Sadler’s Joy, Hi Happy, and Bigger Picture – as well as Grade 2 winners Manitoulin, Channel Maker, and Money Multiplier. Sadler’s Joy, Hi Happy, and Manitoulin were separated by two necks when finishing second through fourth behind Spring Quality in the Grade 1, $1 million Manhattan run at 1 1/4 miles last month at Belmont.

The added furlong and the apparent lack of pace may give Hi Happy the edge over his rivals in the Bowling Green, which goes as race 9 on the 11-race program.

Hi Happy, a 6-year-old Argentine-bred son of Pure Prize trained by Todd Pletcher, had the benefit of a target in One Go All Go in his victories in the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream and Grade 1 Man o’ War at Belmont. In the Manhattan, Hi Happy was basically part of the early pace with Hello Don Julio, which wasn’t ideal and something Pletcher is concerned might happen again Saturday.

“My biggest concern with this particular race, it seems like it doesn’t have much pace to it either,” Pletcher said. “We’ll let him find his way the first part. He’s been very consistent for us, always shows up, runs hard.”

John Velazquez replaces Luis Saez in the irons.

Glorious Empire, a 7-year-old gelding who ships in from Maryland for trainer James Lawrence II, could be a pace candidate under Julien Leparoux.

Last year in the Bowling Green, Sadler’s Joy made the lead earlier than trainer Tom Albertrani wanted and finished third, beaten a half-length by Hunter O’ Riley. Sadler’s Joy did come back to win the Grade 1 Sword Dancer, which is the goal for many of these in here.

“He may be better if he does have a target in front of him, that’s how he’s always run his better races,” Albertrani said. “It’s a matter of timing it just right.”

Sadler’s Joy nearly timed it right in the Manhattan, but was run down in the final strides by Spring Quality.

“For us, I think the distance should only help us more than cutting back in the Manhattan to a mile and a quarter,” Albertrani said. “I don’t think that’s his preferred distance, but he ran a huge race.”

Manitoulin had a circuitous trip in the Manhattan when he was fourth, finishing a neck behind Hi Happy. Prior to that, Manitoulin had finished sixth in the Grade 3 Fort Marcy.

“He didn’t get enough out of that race, and [in the Manhattan] his effort was there,” said Jimmy Toner, who won last year’s Bowling Green with Hunter O’ Riley. “He’s coming into this race really good. I’m looking for a good effort.”

Bigger Picture, winner of the Grade 1 United Nations in 2017, was beaten a neck in this race last year.

Highland Sky comes off a neck victory in an allowance race last out and gets eight pounds from the major players in here. Channel Maker was beaten 1 1/2 lengths in the Manhattan. Money Multiplier, a multiple Grade 2 winner, will only run if it’s firm. Sarrasin didn’t run a jump in his North American debut, but gets blinkers for this race.

KEY CONTENDERS

Hi Happy, by Pure Prize
Last 3 Beyers: 101-104-106

◗ His experience over the tighter-turned course at Gulfstream should help him handle Saratoga.

“I think he’s pretty versatile and straightforward, I don’t think the tighter track will bother him,” Pletcher said.

Sadler’s Joy, by Kitten’s Joy
Last 3 Beyers: 102-103-97

◗ Has won over this turf course each of the last two summers, including the Grade 1 Sword Dancer last year.

◗ After conceding weight to Hi Happy the last three times they met, the two meet on level weights Saturday.

Manitoulin, by Awesome Again
Last 3 Beyers: 101-96-96

◗ Could be primed to fire his best race in third start off a layoff.

◗ Was wide early on and persevered through the lane when fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length in the Manhattan.

Highland Sky, by Sky Mesa
Last 3 Beyers: 103-97-92

◗ After underachieving for more than a year, he’s coming off a career-best in a Belmont allowance win and gets in light under Manny Franco.