Ticking Katie marooned in post 11 in De La Rose
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Ticking Katie overcame soft turf, a slow pace, and a nine-month layoff to win a third-level allowance race at Belmont Park on June 17. On Saturday, she will have to overcome a brutal post when stepping up in class in a deep renewal of the $100,000 De La Rose Stakes going a mile at Saratoga.
A field of 12 was entered in the De La Rose, a listed stakes that certainly has the feel of a graded affair.
Ticking Katie, who drew post 11, went 3 for 15 in Britain – with all three of her wins coming against males – before being shipped to trainer Brian Lynch late last year. Ticking Kate stumbled at the start of her allowance race, and despite trailing through a half-mile run in 52.20 seconds, she rallied late under Luis Saez to win.
“There’s a lot to like about her,” Lynch said. “To me, she’s had the perfect amount of time from that race to this race, and she couldn’t be doing any better.”
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Daring Kathy is the likely favorite coming off a victory in the Perfect Sting Stakes at Belmont on July 3. That was her first start in nearly eight months, but it was her third consecutive victory.
Trainer Graham Motion sends out the uncoupled entry of Token of Love and Pink Poppy. Token of Love comes off a victory in an allowance race. Pink Poppy, after three consecutive poor efforts, ran a decent third in the Dr. James Penny Memorial at Parx.
J Wonder, dropping from the Grade 1 Just a Game, and Stellar Path, third in the Eatontown, add to the competitive nature of the field.
◗ The listed $100,000 Lure Stakes, for males at 1 1/16 miles, features a matchup of Reload and Charming Kitten in a field of six.
DE LA ROSE, RACE 7
KEY CONTENDERS
Ticking Katie (Last Beyer: 85)
◗ Lynch hopes that with the filly having a race under her belt, she will break better than she did in her allowance win.
“She’s got a very good turn of foot,” Lynch said.
Token of Love (Last 3 Beyers: 90-85-83)
◗ After acting rank in her first two starts in this country, Token of Love got a strong early pace in front of her and rallied from 13 lengths back to win.
“The key is if she settles again,” Motion said.
Daring Kathy (Last 3 Beyers: 93-89-84)
◗ Is 3 for 4 at a mile, including a victory in the Perfect Sting Stakes at Belmont, where she earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 93.
◗ In her only previous start at Saratoga, she ran third in the Grade 2 Lake George Stakes.
Stellar Path (Last 3 Beyers: 91-90-90)
◗ Won her U.S. debut for trainer Christophe Clement in April before running fourth in the Nassau at Woodbine and third in the Eatontown at Monmouth. She breaks from post 12 on Saturday.
“She’s run well every single race this year,” Clement said. “I hate the draw.”
LURE, Race 4
KEY CONTENDERS
Reload (Last 3 Beyers: 98-98-100)
◗ Had a three-race winning streak snapped on turf when finishing fourth as the even-money favorite in the Forbidden Apple Stakes at Belmont on July 11.
◗ Shed the frogs – the bottom part of a foot that acts like a shock absorber – in all four feet, according to trainer Shug McGaughey, and has trained in bar shoes since. He won’t race in bar shoes.
◗ Could play out as the primary speed in this paceless affair.
Charming Kitten (Last 3 Beyers: 92-95-94)
◗ Came off an 11-month layoff to win a high-class allowance race at Belmont going this distance June 20.
“Needed a rest, got one, seems to be in good form,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I was pleased with his comeback race.”
Vyjack (Last 3 Beyers: 99-97-68)
◗ In two starts since being moved to turf, he finished second to King Kreesa in the Grade 3 Poker and third to him in the Forbidden Apple.
◗ May be compromised by the seeming lack of pace.