Walkathon takes on Brown trio in Saratoga Oaks
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The cancellation of the Grade 3 Pucker Up Stakes, scheduled for Aug. 13 at Churchill Downs, altered plans for Walkathon, who will now put her undefeated turf record on the line in Sunday’s Grade 3, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational at Saratoga.
The Saratoga Oaks, run at 1 3/16 miles, drew a field of only six, three from the barn of trainer Chad Brown, led by Belmont Oaks winner McKulick.
Walkathon defeated McKulick in the Grade 2 Regret at Churchill Downs on June 4. In that 1 1/8-mile race, Walkathon stalked the loose leader, made a quick move to the lead approaching the quarter pole to take over, and easily held McKulick at bay in the lane.
A similar pace dynamic could develop Sunday as With The Moonlight, second in the Belmont Oaks, could be the main speed under William Buick with Walkathon sitting second under Julien Leparoux.
“That’s the way she wants to run – she wants to be very tactical,” said Ian Wilkes, who trains Walkathon for Whitham Thoroughbreds. “If you try to rate her, she’s going to get too rank.”
Wilkes said the key to Walkathon’s success will be how well she relaxes early on.
“She’s tough, she’s high energy,” Wilkes said. “It’s just whether she can switch off a little. Her motor’s always going when she gets to the races.”
Wilkes said he found out Wednesday the Pucker Up would not be run and immediately sent her by van to Saratoga.
Preceding her second-place finish to Walkathon, McKulick finished second to New Year’s Eve – also in this race – in the Grade 2 Edgewood at Churchill Downs on May 6. Following those two races, Brown was able to stretch McKulick out to 1 1/4 miles, and she ran by With The Moonlight to win the Belmont Oaks by 1 3/4 lengths.
“McKulick certainly liked a mile and a quarter,” said Brown, who trains McKulick for Seth Klarman. “A mile and three-sixteenths should be hopefully enough room. It’s back a little tight on time. I wish I had a little more time because she’s not a very big horse, but she seems to be training very well.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. rides McKulick from post 2.
Brown also has Contemporary Art and Oakhurst in this race. Contemporary Art, a daughter of Dubawi owned by Bobby Flay, is coming off a 4 1/2-length maiden win at Belmont on June 17.
“I figured it’s going to be a short field,” Brown said. “She’s really looking for a mile and three-sixteenths, I believe. So I think it’s a good opportunity for her to get out in distance. She’s going to have to step up in class quick, but she’s so well bred and she’s trained so well.”
Oakhurst won a first-level allowance at Keeneland in April and then finished second behind stablemate Eminent Victory in the one-mile Wild Applause at Belmont on June 25. Brown said cutting her back to a mile in that spot wasn’t ideal and is looking forward to stretching her out to this 1 3/16 miles.
“She’s been looking to go this far, I think,” said Brown, who trains Oakhurst for Little Red Feather Racing.
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With The Moonlight, owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Charlie Appleby, finished a pace-pressing second in the Belmont Oaks. She remained in New York following that race and had a very strong workout stalking her male stablemate Nations Pride – entered in Saturday’s Grade 1 Saratoga Derby – last Sunday over the Oklahoma turf course.
William Buick rides With The Moonlight from post 3.
New Year’s Eve, who displayed an explosive turn of foot to win the Edgewood, was eighth in the Belmont Oaks. Trainer Brendan Walsh said New Year’s Eve didn’t handle the firm ground at Belmont that day.
“I’m hoping for some cut in the ground more than anything,” Walsh said. “I think the firm ground more than anything really killed us. We don’t want it too, too soft – I don’t think anybody does – but I would like a little give in the ground for sure.”
The Saratoga Oaks goes as race 7 on a 10-race card that begins at 1:05 p.m. and includes the Grade 3, $200,000 Adirondack for 2-year-old fillies and the $135,000 De La Rose for fillies and mares at one mile on turf.