Stillwater Cove tops Ward-trained exacta in Bolton Landing

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Wesley Ward’s plan coming into Wednesday’s $100,000 Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga was to send Chelsea Cloisters to the lead while harnessing Stillwater Cove’s abundant speed to allow her to run from off the pace. And short of finishing in a dead heat, the plan worked to perfection, the Ward duo finishing first and second with Stillwater Clove edging away to a 1 3/4 length victory over her uncoupled mate. Elsa, the somewhat surprising 6-5 favorite in a scratch-reduced field of six juvenile fillies, finished third.

Stillwater Cove opened a long lead then narrowly lasted winning her career debut on dirt in early April at Keeneland. She tried turf for the first time in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot but wound up contesting an extremely fast pace before tiring to finish a disappointing 13th. With Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard for the first time in the 5 1/2-furlong Bolton Landing, Stillwater Cove was able to rate several lengths off the pace of Chelsea Cloisters, rallied around horses to engage her mate nearing the furlong marker before gradually pulling away at the end. Chelsea Cloisters, runner-up in the Group 3 Prix du Bois at Deauville in her last start, held on willingly once displaced on the lead to be second-best, 1 1/4 lengths in front of Elsa.

Fightress, Drynachan, and Avocado Toast rounded out the order of finish.

Stillwater Cove, a well-bred daughter of Quality Road owned by Marcus Stables, completed the distance over what was officially labeled a firm turf course in 1:03.26. She paid $22.40.

“It worked out perfectly, unfortunately for Chelsea Cloisters,” said Ward. “We had a nice easy lead with her and the other filly was just better. I always had high hopes for this filly, she’s a big, long, rangy filly who looks like she’ll go two turns, so hopefully we’ll be able to get her to relax and go a route. And see her in the Breeders’ Cup in the fall.”

Ward credited jockey Julio Garcia, who rode Stillwater Cove to her maiden win, with helping to get the filly to relax in the morning. Stillwater Cove has been stabled at Keeneland since her return from Europe and did not ship to Saratoga until three days before the Bolton Landing.

“I have to credit Julio Garcia, he’s been working with her all year long at Keeneland,” said Ward. “He kind of messed it up at first when he rode her in the spring, she opened up about eight [lengths] and won by a nose. But ever since then, she’s been beautiful.”