SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey will saddle regally bred juvenile colt Montauk Point for his career debut in Saturday’s fifth race – a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight over the Saratoga main track.
Owned by Annette Allen and Helen C. Alexander, Montauk Point is a half-brother to Covfefe, the 2019 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and Champion Female Sprinter who captured the Grade 1 Longines Test in her championship year. A chestnut son of Violence, Montauk Point is out of the Unbridled mare, Antics who is a half-sister to Grade 1-winning millionaire Acoma. He hails from the prestigious Courtly Dee broodmare line.
“I like him. I remember I saw him when he was just a baby and I liked him then, too,” McGaughey said. “I told Joe Allen that he ought to take a look at this horse, and then Helen stayed in for part of him. He’s a horse we’re excited about. He got bigger and a lot taller than I thought he would. Body-wise, it’s about what I thought.”
Montauk Point was purchased for $550,000 from the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Select Sale where he was consigned by Gainesway.
Jockey Jose Ortiz will pilot Montauk Point from post 7.
After scoring on Opening Day with Echo Zulu, Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen seeks another maiden winner early on in the meet when he saddles the morning line 9-5 favorite in Chattalot.
Owned by Bloom Racing Stable and David A. Bernsen, the son of Midnight Lute is out of the Kingmambo mare Mamboalot and was bought for $110,000 at the 2021 OBS April Sale.
Jockey Ricardo Santana, Jr. rides from post 9.
Fans will be treated to a juvenile maiden special weight daily double as Race 6 on Saturday features juvenile colts going 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf course.
McGaughey sends out W.S. Farish homebred Informal, who is by third-crop sire Honor Code out of 2003 English Oaks winner Casual Look.
“I like this horse on the turf. He’ll make a good account of himself. He’s a down the line kind of horse,” McGaughey said.
Jose Ortiz rides from post 7.
Trainer Chad Brown will debut Portfolio Company for Klaravich Stables.
The bay son of Kitten’s Joy has trained with Brown’s Spa contingent since early May and last worked on the main track going a half-mile in 49.80.
The $125,000 purchase is a full-brother to millionaire Charming Kitten, who won the inaugural two-mile Belmont Gold Cup in 2014.
Breaking from post 4, Portfolio Company will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.
NYRA Press Release
Photo: Champion filly Covfefe winning the Adena Springs Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico while also setting the track record at 1:07.70 for six furlongs on May 17, 2019. (Dottie Miller)
