Saratoga: Emerald Beech takes Waya Stakes

Emerald Beech, under a patient, rail-skimming ride from Alex Solis, struck the front at the three-sixteenths pole, and was able to outfinish a late-running Senada to win Wednesday’s $75,000 Signature Stallion Waya Stakes by a neck. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to Dyani in third.

Emerald Beech, a 5-year-old daughter of Maria’s Mon, won for the third consecutive time for trainer Jonathan Sheppard and George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stables.

Solis kept Emerald Beech along the inside and in seventh position early on before advancing the mare into third place when Jose Lezcano vacated the rail aboard 8-5 favorite Snow Top Mountain.

Solis waited for an opening and pounced when longshot pacesetter Distorted Promise came off the fence slightly in upper stretch.
Emerald Beech covered the 1 1/2 miles in 2:30.86 over a good inner turf and returned $14.