Pletcher, Lukas each going for seventh Schuylerville victory

The Grade 3, $175,000 Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies is the traditional opening-day feature at Saratoga. It used to be tradition for either D. Wayne Lukas or Todd Pletcher to win it, the pair of Hall of Fame trainers having done so six times each.

However, it’s been a while since either individual has won the race, but both seem to have big chances Thursday when Pletcher saddles Wine On Tap and Lukas sends out Saratoga Secret in a field of 11 2-year-old fillies set to run six furlongs over the main track.

The Schuylerville goes as race 9 on a 10-race card that begins at 1:10 p.m. and kicks off the 40-day, eight-week meet that runs through Labor Day.

Wine On Tap, a daughter of Tapit, sold for $600,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September. In her debut, on June 18 at Belmont Park, Wine On Tap chased the pacesetting Devil At Midnight, going by that one at the eighth pole en route to a three-length victory. Her 76 Beyer Speed Figure is the highest in this field.

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“I thought she was very professional in her debut and has come back with a very good breeze,” said Pletcher, who last won the Schuylerville in 2016 with Sweet Loretta. “She certainly looks and is bred like she’d appreciate more distance.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Wine On Tap from post 7.

Lukas first won the Schuylerville in 1986 with Sacahuista and last won the race in 2003 with Classic Elegance. Thursday, he’ll send out Saratoga Secret, a daughter of Arrogate, who won her debut at Ellis Park by three lengths, chasing Mystical Chant before passing that one in midstretch.

“She was very impressive that day. I feel we’re in good shape with her,” said Luis Saez, who rode Saratoga Secret on debut and will be back aboard on Thursday from post 5. “I feel she has a big future.”

Trainer Steve Asmussen is a three-time Schuylerville winner. Thursday, he’ll send out Closing Act, who overcame a slow start to win her debut at Churchill before easily winning the Astoria Stakes at Belmont by 3 1/4 lengths over Union Suit, who is also in this field.

“She’s done what’s been asked of her in both of her races,” Asmussen said. “She’s going to have to run faster in the Schuylerville to have success. It’ll be very beneficial – traditionally the way Saratoga’s track is opening week – to have two runs in her.”

Traditionally, Asmussen asserts, Saratoga’s main track is a bit deep opening week.

Union Suit also has two outs, having been purchased privately following a debut win at Horseshoe Indianapolis on May 10. Graham Motion, who was given Union Suit by her current owners, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables, didn’t have her very long before she ran in the Astoria.

“When I ran her the other day, I only had her for a week,” Motion said. “She didn’t have the ideal prep for that race. The winner was very impressive, but I’d like to think having had her for a couple of more weeks she’ll have better preparation.”

Manny Franco rides Union Suit from post 3.

Dancing Diana could be an intriguing longshot. While she only beat three horses in her debut at Delaware Park, the daughter of Bolt d’Oro trained by Chucky Lawrence, did win by 7 1/2 lengths. She attracts Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez, who has won this race five times.

Trainer Butch Reid has the pair of Carmelina and Kiss for Luck, both debut winners at Parx. Carmelina, a daughter of Maximus Mischief, was the more impressive of the two but must overcome her rail draw on Thursday under Jose Ortiz.

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Sugar Treat overcame a slow start to win her debut over Gulfstream Park’s synthetic surface for trainer Mark Casse, who won the 2018 Schuylerville with Catherinethegreat. Mila Junes, Status Seeker, and the first-time starter Becky’s Joker complete the field.

The forecast for opening day calls for clouds, with temperatures in the low 80s, humid conditions, and the potential for afternoon thunderstorms.

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