Webslinger after his American Turf (G2) victory May 6 at Churchill Downs (Daniella Ricci/Past The Wire)
G2 Hall of Fame Could Be Next for Boppy O
Papilio To Take On G3 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational
Solo Album Could Give G1 Alabama a Try
NYRA Press Office
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— D.J. Stable’s graded-stakes winner Webslinger, who rallied from last-of-11 to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational, will point to the Grade 1, $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational on August 5 at Saratoga Race Course according to his Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse.
The Constitution sophomore was piloted by Hall of Famer Javier Castellano in the 10-furlong Belmont Derby on July 8, but endured a wide trip through the final turn and some jostling in the stretch run to finish 1 1/2-lengths back of the victorious Far Bridge.
“Unfortunately, he got shuffled back and Javier had no choice but to go around,” Casse said. “I’m not sure how much farther he ran than everybody else, but it was much farther than he got beat by, that’s for sure. He came out good and will aim for the Saratoga Derby.”
The 1 3/16-mile Saratoga Derby will offer the winner an automatic berth into the Group 1, $AUD 5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate to be held on October 28 at Moonee Valley Racing Club in Victoria, Australia.
John Oxley and Breeze Easy’s graded-stakes winner Boppy O tracked in fourth position before fading to last in the Belmont Derby, albeit with a built-in excuse that could land him a cut back in distance for the one-mile Grade 2, $500,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame on August 4.
“He was closer to the pace than I wanted, but he also did a little number on his foot,” Casse said. “He twisted a shoe and was a little off after the race. He’s good now, so I’m going to throw that one out and maybe look at the Hall of Fame for him.”
D.J. Stable, Medallion Racing, Barry Fowler, and Parkland Thoroughbreds’ Papilio stumbled badly at the break last out under Castellano en route to a rallying third-place finish in the 10-furlong Grade 1 Fasig-Tipton Belmont Oaks Invitational.
“I’m so proud of her. How she and Javier didn’t end up on their head, I don’t know. She stumbled really hard and we gave up some position,” Casse said. “To me, the pace was pedestrian and – this is how good she is – she was able to run by fillies that had been galloping along and still close. She has a tremendous turn of foot. Both her and Webslinger have been a little unlucky, but they come to play every time.”
Casse said Papilio will now point to the Grade 3, $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational on August 4.
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Gary Barber and Steven Rocco’s Solo Album earned a career-best 92 Beyer Speed Figure for her last-out score in the Grade 3 Selene traveling 1 1/16-miles over the Woodbine Tapeta.
Although the sophomore daughter of Curlin is nominated to the nine-furlong Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 22, Casse said she will instead point to the 10-furlong Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales on August 19.
“My thought is to see how she handles the track at Saratoga and if she were to train really good then maybe the Alabama. The further they run, the better she’ll like it,” Casse said.
