The Mahony Stakes at Saratoga is set for Sunday, August 16, with a scheduled post time of 6:06 p.m. ET. The Grade 3 event carries a $225,000 purse and is for three-year-olds dashing 5½ furlongs on the turf course.
The field features seven runners, including even-money morning-line favorite Outfielder, a stakes-winning speedster, and Intricate Spirit, who is looking to rebound from a troubled trip in his most recent start.
Here is a look at the field.
Mahony Stakes Field
1. Rebel With a Cause (8-1)
Javier Castellano takes over for trainer Lauren Robson aboard Rebel With a Cause, who has won three of five career starts and is two-for-three in turf sprints.
His most recent victory came in the My Frenchman Stakes at Monmouth on July 11. He chased the pace before winning by 1¼ lengths over Big Destroyer, who returns in this field.
Rebel With a Cause has been steadily improving according to the Today’s Racing Digest numbers. His final-time ratings have progressed from 120 to 131, 132 and 134 in his recent starts. His Fire numbers have also improved, reaching 88 in each of his last two races.
The inside post and tactical speed are positives, but he will need another step forward to defeat this group.
2. Outfielder (Even Money Favorite)
Outfielder is the horse to beat.
The Wesley Ward trainee has won four of seven starts, with John Velazquez aboard for all four victories. His best performance came in the William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 9, when he won at 5½ furlongs while pressing the pace.
That race produced an impressive 143 final-time rating and 183 pace rating from Today’s Racing Digest. Those numbers make Outfielder the fastest horse on paper in this field.
He subsequently traveled to Royal Ascot for a Group 1 event on June 19. Facing a large 22-horse field, he finished 10th, beaten just over five lengths.
If Outfielder returns to the form he showed in the William Walker, he could be very difficult to beat. Velazquez and Ward also give him a strong jockey-trainer combination.
3. Oscar’s Hope (8-1)
Oscar’s Hope is the biggest question mark in the field because he is switching from dirt to turf.
The good news is that his pedigree offers some encouragement. His sire, Twirling Candy, has been productive with turf runners, and Oscar’s Hope has already shown some ability in training on the surface. He worked four furlongs on the Saratoga turf on August 1 in 49 seconds, the second-fastest of 14 horses.
He has been consistent on dirt, finishing with four wins, three seconds and a third in 10 starts. His recent final-time ratings have included a 135, two 134s and a 138.
If he can transfer that form to turf, Oscar’s Hope could be competitive at a price.
Read more at Today's Racing Digest
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