Two impressive 'TDN Rising Stars' who captured their debut maiden victories at the legendary Spa will square off Thursday in the $175,000 Grade III With Anticipation Stakes for 2-year-olds on Saratoga's inner turf course.
Saturday's racing card at Saratoga Race Course delivered exceptional entertainment with five consecutive Grade 1 races, headlined by Sovereignty's commanding performance in the $1.25 million DraftKings Travers Stakes. The Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner entered as a heavy 3-10 favorite and justified the confidence with a dominant 10-length victory over Bracket Buster in a field of five runners.
The Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner worked a sharp :48.83 breeze on Aug. 27 at Saratoga, prompting Pletcher to finalize plans for the 1 1/8-mile Woodward. The decision reflects strategic timing considerations as Pletcher noted that Locked "sets him better for the Classic as opposed to others who have been running steadily and could use more time before the Breeders' Cup."