July 26, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Printing Money
If Hans Gruber and his crew invested their time and energy in Nakatomi the horse, rather than the Los Angeles plaza, they’d be a whole lot richer… and alive.
That’s because 5-year-old gelding Nakatomi has landed in the money in six consecutive starts, including a third last time out in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).
The Wesley Ward trainee can continue adding to his bankroll with another strong showing in Saturday’s $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga.
While Nakatomi has not found the winner’s circle during his impressive podium pattern, the Wesley Ward mount with a 17: 5-2-6 lifetime line is almost always in contention.
Nakatomi enters the 6-furlong Vanderbilt at 5-2.
Mid-Summer Getaway
Seize the Grey enjoyed an all-star break of his own following a seventh in the Belmont (G1) that concluded a stretch of three races in 35 days.
Now fresh and raring to go after a seven-week vacation, the 3-year-old colt is primed and ready to get back to his winning ways in the $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga.
Before a fatigue-driven falter in the Belmont, Seize the Grey captured the Pat Mile (G2) and $2 million Preakness (G1) in back-to-back starts.
The D. Wayne Lukas protégé closed at 9-1 in the latter affair.
In short, Seize the Grey (6-1) is more than capable of turning in a herculean effort when fully charged.
Buy Win, Get Win Free
With a jaw-dropping 18 wins in 23 starts, there’s not much left for The Chosen Vron to add to his sterling resume.
So, rather than listing something new, the 5-year-old gelding can instead focus on keeping his accolades in pristine condition.
A successful defense of his Bing Crosby (G1) crown would do exactly that.
The Hector Berrios mount returns to Del Mar this Saturday for the first time since taking last year’s edition of the $400,000 contest by a head at 9-2.
The Chosen Vron enters the six-furlong tilt amid a historic stretch that’s seen the Eric Kruljac trainee win 13 of his last 14 starts dating back to Sept. 17, 2022.
The horse with reservations in the winner’s circle enters at 6-5.
Encore! Encore?
After an electric 3 ¼-length score in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2), Gun Song’s encore performance in the Acorn (G1) fell flat.
The 3-year-old filly can get back to her winning ways by topping the charts in Saturday afternoon’s $250,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3).
It’s been a season of ebbs and flows for Gun Song through five starts in 2024. The Mark Hennig trainee finished second in her sophomore debut before finding the winner’s circle in her second endeavour.
A rise to the Grade 2 ranks didn’t pay immediate dividends (fourth in the Gulfstream Park Oaks), but later proved fruitful in the Black-Eyed Susan.
As Gun Song (2-1) works towards consistency, oddsmakers have the Julien Leparoux mount well-positioned heading into the 1 1/16-mile event.
Silver & Gold
Silver Knott (GB) can tie the knot on a third consecutive graded stakes win in this Sunday’s $250,000 Bowling Green (G2T) at Saratoga.
After a busy 2023 season, the 4-year-old gelding had his workload scaled back thus far with two starts in 2024.
That said, Silver Knott and rider Flavien Prat have made the most of their limited time together, crossing the finish line first in both the Elkhorn (G2T) and Man o’War (G2T).
The latter was an especially dominant effort, as the top flight pair pulled away for a 4 ½-length clearance.
The 1 3/8-mile Bowling Green will mark Silver Knott’s (4-5) first career attempt at Saratoga after spending time all around the North American circuit.
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