Weaver looks to end stakes drought in P.G. Johnson Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It has been another fabulous Saratoga meet for trainer George Weaver, who entered Monday’s card with nine wins from 60 starters, tying him for fifth in the standings.

Perhaps the only knock on Weaver’s season is that he’s 0 for 9 in stakes at the meet. Weaver will try to rectify that Thursday when he runs Majestic Bonnie in the $100,000 P.G. Johnson Stakes for juvenile fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Majestic Bonnie, a daughter of Majestic Warrior, won her debut here by a head July 24, overcoming a wide trip to get up in the final strides. Weaver said he doesn’t think he had the filly fully cranked for that race.

“She’s a pretty filly, but she’s on the narrow side, so I just didn’t feel like she needed to have her lemon squeezed 100 percent before we ran her,” Weaver said. “She broke slow and kind of had to make that [wide] move. Watching it, you’re worried they’re going to hang after they make that move, but she kept coming.”

Majestic Bonnie ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.11 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 73. She will break from the outside post under Manny Franco in the seven-horse field.

The horse to beat is Coasted, a six-length winner here Aug. 7 in her second career start. Coasted, a daughter of Tizway trained by Leah Gyarmati, pressed the early pace and galloped to an impressive win. Dream Dancing, the filly who finished second, came back to win Sunday’s 11th race at Saratoga.

“I remember watching, thinking, ‘Ugh, maybe we’re too close, she’s not going to have any kick,’ ” Gyarmati said. “She had a kick all right.”

Coasted ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.10 and earned an 82 Beyer. She will break from post 3 under Jose Lezcano.

Maidens have won five of the first nine runnings of the P.G. Johnson. Naifah, second in three of four starts in Britain, makes her U.S. debut for trainer Graham Motion. Mo Promise, who was off slowly in her debut when second to Lady Joan – who’s also in this field – also is a maiden.

Key Contenders

Majestic Bonnie, by Majestic Warrior

Beyer: 73

◗ Overcame a wide trip to post a narrow victory in her debut at 12-1 on July 24.

“I was impressed by the way she ran, but it wasn’t a complete surprise,” Weaver said. “Really, if they’re training well, this is the next logical step. Things have gone smoothly since then. I don’t see any reason why she’s not going to go over there and run another good race.”

Prices Too High, third in that race, came back to win.

Coasted, by Tizway

Beyers: 82-70

◗ Has the edge in experience with two starts, including a three-length defeat when fifth on dirt at Belmont in July.

◗ She is coming back in 22 days after her maiden win.

“I think we’re okay as easily as she did it,” Gyarmati said. “Came out of the race great, she’s eating good, seems happy.”

Mo Promise, by Uncle Mo

Beyer: 67

◗ Compromised by a slow start when second to Lady Joan going 5 1/2 furlongs here July 25.

◗ Has put in a couple of nice works since then, including a seven-furlong move on turf in 1:29 on Aug. 8.

◗ Maidens have won the last three runnings of this race, including Harmonize last year.