Scratch of Going for Broke leaves Summer Colony wide open

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It probably won’t hurt the feelings of the other six trainers in the race to learn that trainer Chad Brown plans to scratch morning-line favorite Going for Broke from Sunday’s $100,000 Summer Colony Stakes at Saratoga to run in next Saturday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign.

Brown said Saturday morning that owner Thomas Moore felt there was more upside to running Going for Broke against Songbird in what is likely to be a short field in the Personal Ensign than in a listed stakes.

Thus, the Summer Colony will go with a field of six lacking a clear-cut favorite.

Romantic Vision could be the horse to beat if she is able to run back to her second-place finish in the Grade 1 La Troienne on Kentucky Oaks Day. However, in her next start, she finished last in the Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap on June 17.

Trainer Rusty Arnold is still searching for a reason for that performance.

“The only thing I can come up with is it was night racing, and I don’t know if she handled that,” Arnold said.

Arnold said he wasn’t planning to bring Romantic Vision to Saratoga from Kentucky until two weeks ago, and he’s crunched in a couple of half-mile breezes here for the race.

:: Just reduced! Save on Clocker Reports for Del Mar and Saratoga

“If she runs back to her first two races of the year, she fits very, very well,” Arnold said. “If she runs back to her last race, she doesn’t fit anywhere.”

Javier Castellano, aboard for an allowance win at Keeneland in April, is reunited with Romantic Vision.

Last year, Rachel’s Temper won the Summer Colony after being claimed by Charlton Baker from David Cannizzo for $62,500 three weeks earlier. Shortly after that race, Newtown Anner Stud purchased Rachel’s Temper and kept her with Baker for the remainder of 2016.

The filly has been returned to Cannizzo, who has her back in the Summer Colony following a last-place finish in a 6 1/2-furlong optional-claiming race at Belmont on July 3.

“She needed the race,” Cannizzo said. “She’s a tough horse to get fit. We gave her one with this race in mind.”

Verve’s Tale pulled a 20-1 upset in the Comely, beating Going for Broke by four lengths. Verve’s Tale has lost four consecutive races since, but they all came in graded stakes company. She could play out as the primary speed from the rail under Jose Ortiz.

Fuhriously Kissed and Blue Prize, first and second in a second-level allowance here on July 24, and Annie Rocks complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Verve’s Tale, by Tale of Ekati
Last 3 Beyers: 88-90-81

• Finds significant class relief after facing the likes of Songbird and Paid Up Subscriber in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps last out and Highway Star in the Grade 2 Ruffian two back.

• Has traded decisions with Going for Broke, finishing behind that one in a maiden race and beating her in the Grade 3 Comely.

Romantic Vision, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 63-89-85

• Brought back as a 5-year-old in hopes of becoming a stakes winner, she finished a solid second in the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill on Kentucky Oaks Day.

• Has tactical speed to be close to what does not appear to be a lively early pace.

Rachel’s Temper, by Flatter
Last 3 Beyers: 67-71-83

• A bit overmatched in a pair of graded events to end her 5-year-old season.

• Stretches out around two turns off basically a non-effort in a sprint following a nine-month layoff.