By Jarrod Horak
The Grade 3 Sanford Stakes headlines the early stakes action at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, July 4. The $225,000 event is contested over six furlongs on the main track for 2-year-olds, with a scheduled post time of 2:54 p.m. ET.
With several impressive maiden winners making just their second career starts, this year’s Sanford features plenty of upside and an intriguing pace scenario. Below is a look at the field and the leading contenders.
Scratches
Two horses are expected to scratch from the field:
- #1 Waggley (trainer Wesley Ward)
- #7 Ashcroft Lane (trainer Robert Falcone Jr.)
With Waggley out, #2 Booked moves to the rail.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
#2 Booked
Trainer Steve Asmussen’s colt enters as the morning-line favorite after breaking his maiden in convincing fashion at Saratoga.
Booked endured a troubled start in his debut at Churchill Downs before finishing second. He returned at Saratoga, broke much better, pressed the pace, and drew away to win by 1¾ lengths. He owns a victory over the track and has logged multiple workouts at Saratoga since arriving in May.
The key question is whether he can break sharply from the inside post. If he leaves the gate cleanly, he should secure another favorable stalking trip.
#3 Goodbye to Romance
Goodbye to Romance made a highly professional debut, tracking the pace before taking command and winning by 3¼ lengths at Aqueduct.
Trainer Jenna Antonucci has prepared him with four five-furlong workouts over the Saratoga surface, suggesting he’s ready for another forward move. Flavien Prat takes the mount after previously enjoying success with the Antonucci barn.
The son of Complexity appears well suited to the added distance and projects to enjoy an ideal stalking trip.
#4 Pocket Listing
Pocket Listing produced one of the most visually impressive maiden victories in the field.
After breaking alertly, he quickly opened a massive advantage before cruising home by more than eight lengths. Although he showed some greenness by failing to change leads in the stretch, his natural speed was impossible to ignore.
A recent five-furlong workout indicates he remains sharp. The biggest question is whether he can carry that brilliant early speed an additional furlong against stronger competition.
#5 Vissino
Vissino rallied from off the pace to win his debut and now stretches out to six furlongs.
His closing style could become a significant asset if the expected pace battle develops early.
#6 Jack’s Golden Goal
Runner-up behind Booked last time out, Jack’s Golden Goal finished well clear of the rest of the field despite falling short of the winner.
The addition of blinkers may help him stay more involved throughout the race, although he’ll likely be making another late run.
#8 Regent’s Park
Purchased for $1.4 million, Regent’s Park debuted with an impressive front-running victory at Monmouth Park over a sloppy track.
His early speed makes him another likely participant in what could become a contested pace.
#9 Rosasi
Rosasi dominated his debut at Gulfstream Park, wiring the field by more than seven lengths.
A bullet five-furlong workout since that victory suggests continued improvement. The outside draw isn’t ideal, but his natural speed gives him every chance to remain competitive if he avoids losing ground into the first turn.