8th-Saratoga, $110,000, Alw, 7-17, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:51.22, ft, 7 1/4 lengths.
STARS AND STRIPES (c, 3, Not This Time–Pearl River, by Quality Road) went off at odds of 31-1 in his debut at Aqueduct May 17 and, though he wound up third, impressed with a 92 Beyer Speed Figure. Slammed down into favoritism to break his maiden going this distance at Aqueduct on a sloppy track June 15, he responded with a resounding 10 1/2-length win. Facing winners for the first time Thursday at Saratoga, the 4-5 favorite briefly looked to be in trouble as he settled in the middle of the field while Rocketeer (Curlin) opened up a sizable gap up front. Still fourth into the far turn, jockey Jose Lezcano went to work and Stars and Stripes went from fourth to first in a matter of strides, making an eye-catching move to hit the furlong pole the clear leader. Put under a hand ride to finish up, the favorite cruised home by 7 1/4 lengths with Rocketeer relegated to second. Pearl River, though unraced herself, produced Waves of Mischief (Into Mischief), GSW, $623,942 as her second foal. This is the family of champion 2-year-old filly Sweet Catomine (Storm Cat) and MGISW Life Is Sweet (Storm Cat). Though Pearl River died in 2023, she has an unraced 2-year-old Nyquist colt named Ten Star Fleet still to represent her. Sales History: $100,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $117,450. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Frassetto Stables LLC; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-William I. Mott.
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