Thursday TimeformUS Highlight Horse: Glens Falls distance should suit Vergara

Saratoga | Race 9 | Post Time 5:44 p.m. (ET) TimeformUS PPs are now available on DRF.com. Go to PPs

War Like Goddess (#1) is obviously an imposing presence in the Grade 2 Glens Falls, having won the race each of the past two years. She was obviously at the top of her game last year when beating males in the Grade 1 Turf Classic before finishing a valiant third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. She certainly looked like she had maintained that form when she returned from a layoff with a facile victory in the Bewitch to kick off her season. However, she subsequently lost as the heavy favorite in the Grade 1 New York last time. Some will blame the shorter distance, but her trip was far from ideal. She got hung wide around both turns and was left with too much ground to make up in a race dominated up front. While I think it’s fair to forgive her for that loss, she’s likely going to get bet in this spot as if that recent disappointment didn’t occur. We have seen her prove vulnerable in paceless situations in the past, she’s facing some rivals of quality.

Virginia Joy (#2) and McKulick (#4) both finished narrowly ahead of the favorite last time in a photo finish for third. I don’t think McKulick had a major excuse that day, though Virginia Joy was somewhat wide on the turns. The latter upset War Like Goddess in the Flower Bowl last year, doing so with a front-running gambit. I don’t expect Virginia Joy to get that same trip here, but I do think she demonstrated the way to beat War Like Goddess in these races.

The horse who could find herself in that forward position this time is Vergara (#7). The Graham Motion trainee has never raced over a marathon trip before, but she has always given the impression of one who wants these extended distances. She’s a solid, rangy filly who can be a bit one-paced in her races, and those attributes translate well to this 12-furlong distance. She’s also bred to go this far, out of a dam who is a half-sister to Group 1 St. Leger winner and staying specialist Millenary, as well as Epsom Derby third-place finisher Let the Lion Roar. Vergara needed a start off the layoff at Pimlico, but she stepped forward last time at Monmouth, finishing a close third behind a talented duo. She figures to go forward early this time, and get first run at the lead once the longshot Elegant Taste bows out.