Saratoga's Adirondack lacks Pletcher, not talent

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. − Dating back to last year’s Adirondack, trainer Todd Pletcher has won the last three graded stakes run for juvenile fillies at Saratoga. That streak will come to an end Sunday for the simple fact that Pletcher does not have a starter in the Grade 2, $150,000 Adirondack, which is being run for the 95th time.

A field of six juvenile fillies was entered for the Adirondack, topped by Millionreasonswhy, who is 2 for 2, including a two-length victory in the Grade 2 Matron Stakes at Belmont Park on July 3. The field also includes a bevy of debut winners, including My Miss Aurelia, Anna Sophia, Funny Proposition, and New Wave. Bellacourt, a New York-bred winner in her second start, completes the field.

New Wave is a half-sister to General Quarters, a graded stakes winner on dirt, turf, and synthetic. New Wave, by Tale of the Cat, made her debut at Arlington Park on July 9 and gutted out a neck victory. The third-place finisher from that race, Stephanie’s Kitten, came back to win next out.

Arnold said New Wave’s first race did not come up fast because the track absorbed a lot of rain, which produced extremely slow times for several days at Arlington.

While that win was on Arlington’s synthetic surface, Arnold said he has been very pleased with how New Wave has trained on the dirt at Saratoga, which is why he is willing to take a shot in the Adirondack.

“She has done very well here,” Arnold said. “I had no plans for her until I breezed her on the dirt. I’ve been very happy with her. She’s got to do it on the dirt, but we’re going to have to run her on the dirt to find out.”

New Wave was a $300,000 yearling purchase by G. Watts Humphrey.

Alex Solis will ride will New Wave in the Adirondack, run at 6 1/2 furlongs. Outside of New Wave will be Bellacourt, Funny Proposition, Millionsreasonswhy, My Miss Aurelia, and Anna Sophia.

Big Blue Nation moved to Pletcher

Arnold mentioned that one of New Wave’s works at Saratoga was done in company with Big Blue Nation, the debut-winning colt whom Arnold was pointing to Monday’s Grade 2 Saratoga Special for juvenile colts and geldings. However, a sale of Big Blue Nation was completed Thursday to owner Jerry Bortolazzo, and the horse was scheduled to be moved to Pletcher on Friday.

Big Blue Nation, a son of Bluegrass Cat, won his debut at Churchill Downs by three-quarters of a length. He was sent off at 33-1 in an 11-horse field.

Big Blue Nation will probably not run in Monday’s Saratoga Special since Bortolazzo and Pletcher are expected to run Stat in that race.