John O’Meara’s Roses for Debra seeks a fourth consecutive triumph in the Aug. 25 $150,000 Smart N Fancy, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for older fillies and mares, at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Roses for Debra made the grade last out in the 5 1/2-furlong Caress Stakes (G3T), where she stalked the pace set by returning rival Bubble Rock before surging by in the stretch to a 2 1/4-length victory under Irad Ortiz, Jr.
“She was very impressive and she’s doing great. She’s a good filly and I’m very excited to run her back,” Clement said.
Roses for Debra made her first five starts for trainer Michelle Brafford, winning three sprints on the Presque Isle Downs synthetic including the Malvern Rose against fellow Pennsylvania-breds last July. The 4-year-old daughter of Liam’s Map has now won 6-of-8 starts and is a perfect 3-for-3 since being switched to turf under Clement’s conditioning.
The gray has breezed back twice since her last effort, most recently covering a half-mile over the Oklahoma training track in :48.55 Aug. 14.
Ortiz, Jr. the Spa’s leading rider, maintains the mount from post 5.
Shortleaf Stable’s graded stakes winning Kentucky homebred Bubble Rock, trained by Brad Cox, paved the way in the Caress before fading to third in deep stretch. The performance was reminiscent of her prior outing in the six-furlong Intercontinental Stakes (G3T) June 9 at Belmont Park, where she led the whole way before being nailed at the wire by returning foe Poppy Flower .
“She always tries hard, but she’s very tough on herself. She likes to train and does a little more than need be at times, but she’s a graded stakes-winner at 2 and 3, and now a stakes-winner at 4. Overall, she’s been very consistent from the start,” Cox said.
Bubble Rock has hit the board in all four starts of her current campaign, highlighted by a half-length score in the six-furlong License Fee in May at Belmont Park, utilizing off-the-pace tactics to hold off the late kick of Poppy Flower.
Joel Rosario will be in the irons from post 2.
Arnmore Thoroughbreds’ aforementioned graded winner Poppy Flower, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, is known to come running late, a move she attempted in the Caress but couldn’t quite pull off from the five path when fourth defeated 2 1/2 lengths.
The 4-year-old Lea chestnut is 4-1-2-0 sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at the Spa, notably winning last summer’s Galway Stakes coming from eighth in the nine-horse field.
Jose Ortiz will retain the mount from post 4.
Rounding out the field are stakes winners Can’t Buy Love , Train to Artemus , and four-time winner Talkin Tipsy . Self Isolation and Bluefield are entered for the main track only.
Entries: Smart N Fancy S.
Saratoga Race Course, Friday, August 25, 2023, Race 3
- STK
- 5 1/2f
- Turf
- $150,000
- 4 yo’s & up Fillies and Mares
- 2:20 PM (local)
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
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