Tale of Verve kick-starts Stewart's meet

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Tale of Verve, best known for running second to American Pharoah in the 2015 Preakness, ended an eight-race losing streak Saturday when he beat My Man Sam in a first-level allowance race at Saratoga.

Trainer Dallas Stewart hopes that’s a harbinger of success for the summer, as he has several horses pointed to major stakes races here.

Forever Unbridled, a troubled-trip second in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps, is being pointed to the Personal Ensign on Aug. 27, though she is nominated to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Whitney on Aug. 6.

“We just need to make the right decision for her,” Stewart said. “She’s going to have a fight when she gets to the Breeders’ Cup.”

Tom’s Ready, the winner of the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on Belmont Day, is pointing to the Grade 1 King’s Bishop here on Aug. 27. Forever d’Oro, who finished last in the Belmont Stakes, is entered to run in Friday’s Curlin Stakes.

As for Tale of Verve, he could run back in the Grade 1 Woodward on Sept. 3, Stewart said.