Peter M. Brant's Fifty Five (Get Stormy) chased stablemate New Money Honey (Medaglia d'Oro) home in second in the June 8 GIII Wonder Again S. at Belmont, completing a one-two finish for trainer Chad Brown. That performance proved to be a mere preface to Brown's stunning 1-2-3 finish, headed once again by New Money Honey, in the July 8 GI Belmont Oaks. Fifty Five was slated to be Brown's fourth entrant in the lucrative Oaks, but scratched in favor of a tilt at a shorter distance in Friday's GIII Lake George S. at Saratoga. Privately purchased after capturing the GIII Florida Oaks for trainer Tom Bush Mar. 11, the bay has hit the board in two ensuing stakes tries in New York and will likely have the benefit of a ground-saving trip from her rail draw Friday.
While Fifty Five can provide Brown with his first stakes win of the Saratoga meet, trainer Mark Casse has two shots to get on the board with GIII Herecomesthebride winner Dream Dancing (Tapit) and GI Natalma S. heroine Victory to Victory (Exchange Rate). The former was last seen finishing third in the Wonder Again after racing uncharacteristically close to the early pace, while the latter has gone off form since kicking off her 2017 season with a commanding score in an Apr. 23 Keeneland allowance test.
The Lake George also grants 'TDN Rising Stars' Proctor's Ledge (Ghostzapper) and Sweeping Paddy (Paddy O'Prado) a rematch after the pair finished first and second in the June 17 GIII Regret S. at Churchill. Proctor's Ledge ran out of ground in that race after being allowed to lag nearly 13 lengths off the pace, and obtains the services of Javier Castellano in Friday's affair.
Phillips Racing Partnership and Pam Gartin's Defiant Honor (Speightstown), a full-sister to GSW Recepta, looms as a live longshot with tactical speed. Drawn towards the inside in post three, the homebred could be sent to the front beneath John Velazquez.
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