Complexion, 10 Others Contest Opening-Day Schuylerville

The primary stakes race of the 2024 assembly at Saratoga Race Course, the $175,000 Schuylerville, attracted a area of 11 2-year-old fillies, with a few of the meet’s perennial profitable connections squaring off July 11. First run in 1918, the Schuylerville was downgraded from a grade 3 to listed this yr.

The race is loaded with pace, and amongst these anticipated to problem for an early benefit is Complexion , a $400,000 Keeneland September yearling buy put in because the 7-2 morning-line favourite. Owned by Ammore Thoroughbreds, Carl F. Pascarella, and Yurie Pascarella, the filly is a half sister to a number of grade 1 winner Jack Christopher   and was bred in Kentucky by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Property. She involves the Schuylerville off her lone begin, a 6 1/2-length rating at Aqueduct that got here regardless of a troubled starting below Corridor of Fame jockey John Velazquez.

“She stumbled at first and was in a position to decide herself up,” coach Danny Gargan stated. “Johnny was in all probability essentially the most assured I’ve ever had a jockey stroll within the paddock with me. I by no means count on to win first out, and he seemed over and stated, ‘Nicely, you are going to win first out immediately.’ It is thrilling to get to trip Johnny on a couple of good horses. He is top-of-the-line riders of all time. I would like to win a stake with him.”

Velazquez, a document five-time Schuylerville winner, has the decision from submit 5.

One other dear pace kind, Will Stroud’s Lengthy Neck Paula , value $500,000 at this yr’s OBS March Sale of Two-12 months-Olds in Coaching. Skilled by Wesley Ward and coming off a gate-to-wire, 3 1/2-length win at Churchill Downs, she was ridden by Velazquez in her first begin and will get Flavien Prat on Thursday. At 8-1 on the morning line, she’ll break from submit 9. The Uncle Mo   filly was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm. 

“The one factor that worries me about these early races, particularly stretching out to 6 furlongs, is that they’re all 2-year-olds which have damaged their maiden,and so they’re very quick horses. Everybody has pace and that is why they’re in these early stakes,” Ward stated. “Generally they will go a little bit too quick early for a way previous they’re simply being younger horses. To maintain it for three-quarters of a mile is actually robust, so the tempo is essential. In the event that they go too quick early, these 2-year-olds cannot kick on just like the older horses can.”

Coach Todd Pletcher has received this race six occasions, and he sends out a filly who may profit from a scorching early tempo. Repole Steady named Carmen’s Sweet Jar  for the late Carmen Barrera, the longtime director of horsemen’s relations for the New York Racing Affiliation. She returns on comparatively quick relaxation, having received on debut June 23 at Aqueduct.