Versatility may give Bigger Picture edge in Bowling Green

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – His ability to handle firm turf or soft, race on the lead or off the pace, and his affinity for 1 3/8 miles may give Bigger Picture a slight advantage in a highly competitive field of seven for Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga.

Bigger Picture enters off a narrow victory in the Grade 1 United Nations at Monmouth Park on July 1. That was his 10th win from 25 career starts and his third graded stakes victory.

Last year, Bigger Picture finished eighth in the United Nations, then came to Saratoga to win a high-class allowance race going 1 3/8 miles. With the exception of a disappointing try on dirt in the Claiming Crown Jewel, Bigger Picture hasn’t run a bad race in the last year.

Though he came from more than nine lengths back in the United Nations, Bigger Picture has won on the lead as well.

“You can place him wherever you need him,” trainer Mike Maker said. “That’s the luxury of having him, doesn’t matter one way or the other. When he’s gotten loose on the lead and they came to him, he’s pretty game.”

Bigger Picture breaks from the rail under Joe Bravo. He is the co-highweight at 124 pounds along with Frank Conversation, a shipper from Southern California.

Sadler’s Joy, like Bigger Picture, won here last August and has had a pretty strong year since then. He won the Grade 2 Pan American at Gulfstream in April, then finished third, beaten six lengths, in the Grade 1 Man o’ War, and third, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, in the Grade 1 Manhattan.

Trainer Tom Albertrani said that in the Man o’ War, Sadler’s Joy “got stuck down on the inside almost the entire trip off a very, very slow pace.”

“Then he came back in the Manhattan, cutting back in distance,” Albertrani said. “I thought he ran huge.”

Ascend, trained by Graham Motion, won the Manhattan at 27-1, his third consecutive victory dating to last October. He is trying 1 3/8 miles for the first time.

Closing Bell, Hunter O’Riley, and Hello Don Julio complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bigger Picture, by Badge of Silver

Last 3 Beyers: 103-97-101

◗ He is a three-time winner at the Bowling Green distance, including victories in the Grade 3 Red Smith at Aqueduct last year and the United Nations.

◗ Jockey lost the whip when he was fourth, beaten a half-length, in Grade 2 Mac Diarmida at Gulfstream in March.

Sadler’s Joy, by Kitten’s Joy

Last 3 Beyers: 102-98-104

◗ Was making a good run in the stretch of the Manhattan but fell 1 1/2 lengths short of Ascend, to whom he was spotting four pounds. Those two horses are at level weights Saturday.

◗ He is reunited with Javier Castellano, who is 2 for 3 on him.

Ascend, by Candy Ride

Last 3 Beyers: 104-99-96

◗ He has won three in a row since getting Lasix.

◗ Handled yielding turf when he rallied from last in the Henry Clark Stakes going a mile at Laurel in April.

◗ Picks up eight pounds from his victory in the Manhattan.