Soft turf no problem for Chestoria

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - If Bill Badgett decides to retire from training, perhaps the New York Racing Association should hire him for its marketing department.

When asked about his highly successful Saratoga meet, where he has won 5 races from 12 starters, Badgett's answer was like an advertising campaign.

"You could win anywhere in the world, but there's nothing like winning at Saratoga," he said.

Badgett hopes his winning ways continue Sunday when he sends out Chestoria in the $100,000 Yaddo Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on Saratoga's inner turf course.

Chestoria is coming off a half-length victory in the here Aug. 1, her sixth victory from 18 starts. She has excelled over less-than-firm turf conditions, which figures to be the case Sunday.

"She likes it soft," Badgett said. "She likes a little cut in it."

Last summer, Chestoria got very sick following a last-place finish in the Grade 1 Diana, Badgett said. It took her a long time to return to form.

"This year, she came up here a lot better, has been training well in the right company,'' Badgett said. "It's not an easy race. It's very, very competitive, but she's doing very well."

Ramon Dominguez will ride Chestoria from post 5.

You Go West Girl was beaten a neck by Latitude Forty in this race last year. She missed the Lake Luzerne due to a case of skin disease, according to trainer Tom Proctor, who fears his filly could be a little short for this race.

"I'm probably a work or two away from where I want to be, but she's a sorry-looking filly, maybe less is better," Proctor said.

Love Cove has yet to regain the form she showed as a 4-year-old, when she finished in the top three in five New York-bred stakes. Trainer Tom Albertrani makes a jockey change to Javier Castellano, hoping for more a free-running ride.

"Last time, she broke sharp and Kent [Desormeaux] took her back thinking Cagey Girl was going to make all the running, but it kind of backfired because they slowed it down so much she ended up running down her heels down her backside," Albertrani said of the Lake Luzerne. "She was basically being checked and steadied the whole race."

Nehantic Cat, Stormy Relations, and Remarkable Remy also are contenders in this field.