SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Horses who earn a 47 Beyer Speed Figure on graduation day are rarely given much consideration when stepping up against graded stakes competition in their next start. But on Thursday Dr. Agne is certain to draw attention when facing seven other juveniles in the $175,000 With Anticipation at Saratoga.
When you are a son of female turf champion Lady Eli set to debut on the grass, like Dr. Agne will be in the 1 1/16-mile With Anticipation, expectations can’t help but be high even though your one and only number might be on the low side.
Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Dr. Agne was slated to launch his career on the turf here July 11 only to have the race switched to seven furlongs over the main track due to inclement weather. A change in venue and distance could not keep the regally bred son of Into Mischief from finding the winner’s circle as he rallied to a last-to-first, one-length victory under jockey Jose Ortiz.
“Step one was winning, and he did that. He did that impressively,” said DeVaux. “We just hope to continue on now. He is maturing well. It will be good to get him on the turf and around two turns.”
Although the With Anticipation is a Grade 3, this edition has drawn an entry-level allowance-type field with none of the participants having more than a maiden win to their credit. Dr. Agne is one of six members of the lineup to have graduated at last asking, with several of the others more impressive and on the grass. That group includes Final Score, Capital Partner, Caroline St. Beat, and Gloves Off.
Final Score was rained off the turf in his first start but returned to register a gate-to-wire, 1 3/4-length maiden special weight victory when getting on the grass and stretching out to 1 1/16 miles on Aug. 10 for trainer Todd Pletcher.
“He got to set some easy fractions the other day but kicked on willingly,” said Pletcher. “It’s back a little quick [in 18 days], but it didn’t seem like that race was a real stressful one. They went pretty slow early and it turned into a quarter-mile sprint at the end.”
Capital Partner was bet to 9-5 for his debut, which came at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Despite some anxious moments following an unlucky start, he rewarded his backers with a game half-length victory, for which he received a 63 Beyer Speed Figure.
Caroline St. Beat also returns on short rest. He proved a prompt favorite launching his career on the turf, drawing away to a 2 1/4-length triumph in his lone start just 13 days ago for trainer Miguel Clement.
One More Freud is an intriguing prospect coming off an eye-catching 14 1/2-length tally when debuting on the main track under a $35,000 claiming tag Aug. 1. Claimed out of the race by trainer Mike Maker, One More Freud will have many questions to answer stepping up in class and stretching out in distance while making his grass debut.
– additional reporting by David Grening
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