Sara Louise impressive in return

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - As a 2-year-old, Sara Louise was good enough to defeat Rachel Alexandra. So beating mere mortal 3-year-old fillies in Saturday's at Saratoga figured to prove no problem at all for Sara Louise, who rallied to a two-length victory over pacesetter Bold Union.

Making her first start since finishing second behind Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 2 Golden Rod at Churchill Downs nine months ago, Sara Louise raced in perfect striking position behind the early leaders under Edgar Prado before gradually wearing down Bold Union in late stretch of the six-furlong Victory Ride. Juliet's Spirit rallied mildly to finish another half-length farther back in third in the Grade 3 dash, decided over a sloppy track.

Sara Louise ($6.30), a daughter of Malibu Moon, was purchased privately by Godolphin Stable following the Golden Rod. Four weeks earlier, Sara Louise had rallied to a 3 3/4-length victory over Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 3 Pocahontas at Churchill Downs. It was the last time Rachel Alexandra has been beaten.

Sara Louise spent part of the winter in Saudi Arabia, where she had to be stopped on due to tendon problems, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor. She began picking up her training earlier this summer at Belmont and came into the Victory Ride off a pair of sub-1:00 five-furlong works at Saratoga.

"She'd been doing really well coming into this race, but the sloppy track was a question mark before the race," said Suroor. "She has tactical speed and Edgar said she can go a mile. The filly has class and she'll improve from this race."

Suroor also said he was in no rush for Sara Louise to take on Rachel Alexandra.

"Even though this filly beat her before, right now Rachel's in a different class," said Suroor. "We'll just have to wait for the right time before we face her again."

Get Stormy steps up in style

Get Stormy stepped up off an entry-level allowance win to upset on the Saratoga turf. Get Stormy led throughout the one-mile race and held off a late challenge from Mikoshi to register a three-quarter-length decision. Golden Mexico finished another 6 1/2 lengths farther back in third. Florentino, the tepid 3-1 favorite in the evenly matched field of 3-year-olds, weakened late and checked home seventh.

"He ran very strong winning the allowance race, and you've got to throw them to the wolves some time," said Tom Bush who trains Get Stormy for the Sullimar Stable. "Luckily, they kept this race on the turf."

The Lure was one of only two races run over a soft turf course here Saturday, along with the Grade 2 Ballston Spa. Four other races scheduled for the grass were switched to the main track due to the heavy rains that soaked the track overnight and throughout Saturday morning.

Get Stormy, a son of Stormy Atlantic, returned $17 after covering a mile in 1:37.91 under jockey Javier Castellano.