Spring to the Sky seeks repeat in Lucky Coin
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Spring to the Sky had a relatively easy time when he defeated five rivals in last year’s Lucky Coin Stakes at Saratoga. Life won’t be as simple Monday when he seeks a repeat in the $100,000 stakes scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs on Saratoga’s outer turf course.
Spring to the Sky was one of 11 entered in this year’s Lucky Coin, a field that includes the multiple stakes winner Tightend Touchdown, the improving Shore Runner, and shippers Amelia’s Wild Ride and Bold Thunder.
The Lucky Coin was the second of three consecutive victories recorded by Spring to the Sky last summer. He has since lost four straight, including a 3 1/4-length defeat to Shore Runner at Belmont on July 3.
“If that horse runs the way he’s been running, he’ll be very tough to beat,” Bruce Brown, the trainer of Spring to the Sky, said of Shore Runner. “But this is 5 1/2 [furlongs], different course, and he’s down inside.”
Shore Runner, who breaks from the rail, did win his only start at Saratoga, a $40,000 claimer last August.
Tightend Touchdown, Bold Thunder, and Amelia’s Wild Ride have taken turns beating each other this spring and are all contenders in this very competitive field.
KEY CONTENDERS
Shore Runner (Last 3 Beyers: 96-95-93)
◗ Has won four of his last five races, including his last two on turf at Belmont Park. Must overcome the rail in a bulky field under jockey Kendrick Carmouche.
“You never love the 1 hole going 5 1/2, but our horse is doing fantastic. I have a lot of confidence that Kendrick is going to get the horse in position,” trainer Joe Sharp said. “He’s physically doing unbelievable. He seems to be really confident and comfortable in his skin right now and going the right way. When a horse like that is feeling that way, that’s the time to take a shot.”
Spring to the Sky (Last 3 Beyers: 86-49-94)
◗ His last race was his best, and now he moves up to Saratoga, where he ran his career-best Beyer Speed Figure over this course in last year’s Lucky Coin.
“He loves it up here; he’s doing great,” Brown said. “A lot of horses are coming back a little quick off the Parx race.”
Tightend Touchdown (Last 3 Beyers: 98-83-85)
◗ Wheels back 16 days after winning the Grade 3 Parx Dash by a head, his 11th win from 31 career starts.
◗ Trainer Jason Servis said the horse hasn’t gotten away from the gate well in his last couple of starts, but in the Parx Dash, he had Frankie Pennington get him into the race, “and that got his attention.”
◗ Tightend Touchdown carries 123 pounds and is winless in three starts over this turf course.
Dreamsgonewild (Last 3 Beyer: 92-78-72)
◗ Comes off a relatively easy score in the McSorley Stakes at Monmouth and has since fired a bullet work.
◗ Has two wins and two thirds in four starts sprinting on turf at Saratoga.