NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— Soldier Rising, a 6-year-old multiple graded stakes-placed gelding and earner of $1.3 million, worked over the Oklahoma training turf this morning in preparation for an anticipated start in the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green on July 28 here, a 1 3/8-mile turf test for older horses.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Soldier Rising has yet to find the winner’s circle in stakes company. He boasts a record of 4-10-3 from 21 starts, all on grass.
Last seen finishing second in the Grade 2 Red Smith on November 11 at Aqueduct Racetrack, the Frankel gelding has been steadily progressing towards his 2024 debut.
Solider Rising has now posted five works dating back to June 17 over the Oklahoma training turf and has pleased his conditioner with each move. Today, under his regular afternoon pilot Jose Oritz, and outside of Avenue Niel, the two horses covered a half-mile in 47.80 seconds while finishing up together at the wire and galloping out strongly.
Ortiz after the breeze said, “He worked very good. I was getting on him last year and I felt like he came back this year in great shape. He is getting to where he needs to be. I thought it was a great work and look forward to our run next week.”
In the 2023 renewal of the Grade 2 Bowling Green, Soldier Rising endured a troubled trip when Godolphin stalwart Rebel’s Romance clipped heels and lost his rider. In the ensuing fray, Soldier Rising and Jose Ortiz found themselves having to dodge the fallen Richard Mullen.
This year, the gelding campaigned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Morris Bailey, Wonder Stables, and Michael J. Caruso will hope to have a cleaner trip to start his 2024 campaign.
Avenue Niel, a 5-year-old Helmet mare, started her racing career in France. She came stateside for her new ownership of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, Michael J. Caruso, and Clement last year and was third on debut for her new owner and trainer in a 1 3/8-mile allowance on the inner turf at Saratoga.
Her next start on September 22 during the Belmont at the Big A meet was a winning one before a third-place effort in allowance optional claiming company on October 13.
Put on the shelf for the winter, Avenue Niel looked to get her season started on Opening Day here until races were moved off the turf. She will now target the Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls on August 1 here, a 1 1/2-mile turf marathon for older fillies and mares.
Avenue Niel, with her regular exercise rider Rafaele Sanchez up, worked to the inside of Soldier Rising.
“She was really happy today and I love it when she is like that,” Sanchez said. “She is an older mare, so she needs to play and have fun doing her job.”
Clement, while watching the two horses circle the willow trees back at his barn, said he was pleased with the work.
“Soldier Rising had a nice work this morning. It was his last work before the Bowling Green and he looks well,” Clement said. “He looks fit enough to run, and we are excited to have him back. The filly worked very well but have to decide – there is an allowance race or the Glens Falls, but as of right now we are encouraged to run her in the Glens Falls.”
