The accomplished Grade 1 winner Raging Sea headlines a strong field of fillies and mares set to contest Friday’s $500,000 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
The 1 1/8-mile race on the main track will be a compelling test of class and stamina, with the favorite facing a formidable group of challengers.
The field for the prestigious event was reduced with the scratch of the talented Candied. Her absence removes a key contender but leaves a compact and competitive group, including last year’s Ogden Phipps winner, Randomized, and the speedy Grade 1 winner Leslie’s Rose, to challenge the favorite.
The Field
1. Dorth Vader (10/1): A Grade 2 winner, this mare possesses tactical speed and demonstrated her grit in her last start, finishing a close fourth behind Raging Sea and Randomized despite encountering trouble.
She has a knack for drawing inside post positions. The primary question for her is the 1 1/8-mile distance, which the official commentary notes is a “rare start” for her on this trip.
2. Dazzling Move (15/1): This Grade 3 winner steps up in class after a credible second-place finish at this distance in her last outing, an effort that earned her a near-career-high Beyer Speed Figure.
A blistering half-mile workout in 46 seconds recently suggests she will be forwardly placed. While in sharp form, she faces a significant class test in this accomplished field.
3. Leslie’s Rose (7-2): This Grade 1 winner is set to stretch back out to two turns after a sprint start to begin her 4-year-old campaign. She possesses high early speed and is expected to be on the lead under her regular rider, Irad Ortiz Jr.
However, her lone start at this distance resulted in a fade from the pace, making her ability to handle the mile and an eighth the central question she must answer.
4. Raging Sea (5/2): Fresh off a game victory in the La Troienne (G1), this Chad Brown trainee appears to be in peak form. She boasts an excellent record at Saratoga and seems poised to get a favorable pace set up with others who are likely to show speed.
She is a formidable closer who will be tough to hold off in the stretch.
6. Tarifa (9/2): A Grade 2 winner from the Brad Cox barn, she makes her first start at Saratoga after a respectable second-place finish at Keeneland. She won at this 1 1/8-mile distance in last year’s Mother Goose (G2). She has been training forwardly for her East Coast campaign.
7. Randomized (9/2): The defending champion of this race, she returns to Saratoga looking to regain her top form. She finished third behind her stablemate Raging Sea in their last start but will likely employ her front-running style today. Drawing outside the other main speed could put her in a perfect stalking position or ensure a contested pace from the outset.
Win, Place, Show, Wildcard, and Longshot
Win: (4) Raging Sea (5/2) – The deserving favorite, she’s coming off a top-level victory where she beat two of these rivals. An honest pace scenario should set up her potent closing kick, and her proven class makes her the one to beat.
Place: (7) Randomized (9/2) – Last year’s winner of this race is a logical contender. She will be on the lead, and her affinity for this track is a significant plus. She has the class to be a major factor to the wire.
Show: (3) Leslie’s Rose (7-2) – The distance is a major concern, but her talent is undeniable. At 7-2, she offers value. Her early speed will put her in the mix, and she could have enough class to hold on for a minor award.
Wildcard: (6) Tarifa (9/2) – She becomes a more prominent player with the key scratch. She’s a Grade 2 winner at the distance and hails from an elite barn. Her Saratoga debut is a question, but if the pace melts down, she could be the one to capitalize.
Longshot: (1) Dorth Vader (10/1) – She remains the most interesting longshot. She was only beaten by just over a length by Raging Sea last time despite a troubled trip. With a cleaner journey and her tactical speed as a weapon, she could be the longshot winner here.
Be the first to comment