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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Following a decisive triumph in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple at one-mile on the Saratoga turf on July 16, trainer H. James Bond said Rinaldi will target the Grade 1, $500,000 Fourstardave, a one-mile turf tilt on August 14 offering a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Owned by Bond and bred by Barry Ostrager, the 5-year-old New York-bred son of Posse has demonstrated an affinity for the Saratoga inner turf, where he brags a 4-for-5 record. Rinaldi defeated fellow New York-breds at stakes level the past two years in capturing the NYSSS Cab Calloway at one mile in July 2019 and the West Point going 1 1/16 miles in September 2020. The five-time winner’s love affair with the Spa saw new heights last out, establishing control through every point of call and holding off a late charge from Value Proposition to make the grade. The half-length win garnered a career-best 101 Beyer.
Rinaldi worked a half-mile in 50.32 Thursday over the Saratoga main track.
“He worked a nice half this morning and came out of it in good order, so we’re looking at the Fourstardave as of right now,” Bond said. “We love Saratoga and, needless to say, it would be a big feather in our caps. A Grade 1 is a tall order, but he likes this racetrack and he has homecourt advantage. Sometimes, you throw the ball and every once in a while, they catch it.”
William Clifton, Jr.’s graded stakes-placed Prioritize was nominated to the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 7, but Bond said the son of Tizway will instead seek class relief in the $120,000 Alydar on August 6 at Saratoga.
The Kentucky-bred Prioritize, third in last year’s Grade 1 Woodward, has run at graded stakes level in his past four starts, the most recent taking place in the Grade 2 Suburban when sixth to Max Player.
Bond said three-time winner Giacosa, who defeated her New York-bred counterparts going 1 1/16 miles on July 16 over the Mellon turf. The dark bay or brown 4-year-old Tizway filly will eye the $150,000 Yaddo going 1 1/16 miles on August 27.
Owned by Bond Racing Stable and bred by Bond’s Song Hill Farm in partnership with Roderick Towle, Giacosa was placed at state-bred optional claiming level in her previous two starts this year when a close third to Pecatonica and Kreesie on May 7 at Belmont Park ahead on a runner-up to the latter on June 17 at Belmont.
“I think the two turns helps her. She got a little bothered leaving the gate going a mile at Belmont. This fits her pretty well,” Bond said.
NYRA Press Office
Photo: Rinaldi getting down to business in the Forbidden Apple. (NYRA/Chelsea Durand)
