Ole Crazy Bone possible for G1 Christophe Clement Turf

• Ole Crazy Bone possible for G1 Christophe Clement Turf
• Smith relishing her time at the Spa with European raider Fort George
• Star Casse fillies Nitrogen, Counting Stars breeze over Saratoga main track
• Joseph, Jr. satisfied with elusive graded score for Movin’ On Up in G2 Caress
• Minaret Station likely for G1 Christophe Clement Turf
• Fort Washington breezes over Oklahoma turf; McGaughey mulls G1 Arlington Million title defense

Flying P Stable’s Ole Crazy Bone proved resilient on the front end, prevailing by a nose over European raider Fort George in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green presented by Emerald Ecovations, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Mike Maker and piloted by Flavien Prat, the 6-year-old Ghostzapper gelding made every pole a winning one in the 11-furlong inner turf route for older horses, staving off a bid from Fort George to win in a final time of 2:14.18. The winning effort earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

Flying P Stable’s Jay Provenzano credited Prat for establishing moderate fractions early in the race.

“He knew he was the pace and rode him like he was the best horse,” Provenzano said Sunday, while visiting Ole Crazy Bone at the barn. “He's [Ole Crazy Bone] perfect this morning. We couldn't be happier with him.”

Ole Crazy Bone was haltered for $100,000 out of a runner-up effort last June at Churchill Downs and followed with a rallying head second in the Listed Kentucky Downs Preview Turf Cup in August at Ellis Park.

The dark bay took down the Grade 2 Turf Cup in September at Kentucky Downs, earing a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but subsequently sustained a knee chip that forced him to miss the Breeders’ Cup.

Ole Crazy Bone, bred in Kentucky by Adena Springs, returned to action in May with a pressing three-quarter length second in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer before stretching back out successfully on Saturday here.

While connections indicated post-race that Ole Crazy Bone would point to a title defense in the Grade 2, $2 million Kentucky Downs Turf Cup Invitational [$1 million KTDF] on September 5, Provenzano said Sunday that he might stay local and continue on to the 12-furlong Grade 1, $750,000 Christophe Clement Turf on August 15.

Both races offer a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf on October 31 at Keeneland.

“I might stay here and run in the race here. He didn't do anything wrong on this course,” Provenzano said. “The Kentucky Downs course can be a little demanding with the hills and our goal is to get to where we wanted to get to last year and I'd like to stay on a nice, even course.

“I don't hate money, but the goal is to get to the Breeders' Cup with this horse. He earned his chance last year and we didn't get there,” Provenzano added. “To me, that was one of the most deflating calls I've ever got. We're in our own backyard right now, we've got one over the course and it would be third off the layoff, so I'd expect the biggest race from him. Plus, it's good spacing between races.”

Provenzano noted that Ole Crazy Bone has shown remarkable versatility in style of trips in his four starts since joining the barn.

“He's versatile. I haven't seen anything he couldn't do yet,” Provenzano said. “Mike is building him up for these races. We wrote up all the races from October 31 backwards that would fit his schedule.

“He loves it up here. What's not to love, I love it up here,” Provenzano added, with a laugh. “And we don't have to ship anywhere. To me, it makes all the sense in the world. It was a great payday last year, but I would give it back to have run in the Breeders' Cup.”

Ole Crazy Bone, out of the stakes-placed Smart Strike mare Southern Gem, has banked in excess of $1.9 million through a 21-8-6-2 ledger.

***

Smith relishing her time at the Spa with European raider Fort George

Mrs. Fitriani Hay’s Fort George missed by the narrowest of margins in his stateside debut when second, by a nose, to Ole Crazy Bone in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green presented by Emerald Ecovations, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Ed Walker, who is based in England at the historic Kingsdown Stables in Upper Lambourn, Berkshire, the 4-year-old British-bred Territories gelding arrived at the Spa on June 26 to the care of 24-year-old Hannah Smith, an assistant trainer and exercise rider.

Smith, who was aboard for a July 5 work over the Oklahoma training turf here in his final prep for the Bowling Green, said she was pleased with the Bowling Green try.

“I thought he ran very well. I thought the horse that beat us would be very tough in the race,” Smith said. “'George’ has only been here two weeks and he's been training super and settled in well. We expected a good run.

“I was able to work him over the turf last Sunday, so he got a feel for some tighter turns going left handed,” Smith added. “In the race, he was slow switching onto his right lead in the stretch, but that's something we can improve upon. Overall, he's adapted really well in the morning and gets his leads good.”

Kieran Shoemark has piloted Fort George through his last five outings, which includes a nose win in the 10-furlong Group 3 Dubai Millennium on January 30 at Meydan Racecourse.

“Kieran was happy with him yesterday and said he switched leads and steered well, so all was good,” Smith said. “’George’ came out of the race full of life. I think that race woke him up a little bit. He should come on a lot from that race.”

Walker, reached by the NYRA press office by phone after the race, said he was also pleased with the effort, despite the tough beat to the Flavien Prat-piloted Ole Crazy Bone.

“It was a big run, really happy,” Walker said. “Obviously, when you’re that close you’re always gutted to get beaten. I think Prat just slowed the pace up enough to make it hard for us to reel him in. It was a really great run from Fort George, he’s so tough and genuine. Very proud of him, it was a shame not to have won.”

Walker indicated Fort George will stay in Saratoga and point to the 12-furlong Grade 1, $750,000 Christophe Clement Turf on August 15, offering a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf in October at Keeneland.

“Kieran, when he got off of him, said he thought he could go a little bit farther,” Smith said. “I see a lot of these horses come over here and stretch out a bit, so I think the extra furlong could benefit him.”

Smith, who has a background in show horses and eventing, started out on the track in 2023 and eventually found her way to a role in the barn of the late trainer Christophe Clement and subsequently Clement’s son, Miguel.

“The first year I went to Kentucky and worked with some friends, after that I've only worked with Christophe and then Miguel. I've learned just about everything with them,” Smith said. “It was quite an adjustment at first, but at the end of the day it's being on the back of a horse, knowing how to stay on and be 'sticky' and negotiate with them.

“I found riding racehorses and galloping came a bit more naturally,” Smith added. “I loved it from Day One and never looked back. I sold my event horses and switched over. The horses are young and fresh, and you learn something new every day. I really enjoy the riding part of it. Being on and around the horses is my favorite part of it.”

Smith, who continues to do administrative work for Clement and freelance rides for others here in the morning, tabbed La Mehana, a now-retired French-bred daughter of Al Wukair, as one of her favorites. The talented bay, who raced for both Christophe and Miguel, rallied from last-of-6 to win the 2024 Grade 3 Waya at Belmont at the Big A.

“I was her regular rider, and she was a very important horse to me. I rode her the entire time I was working for Christophe,” Smith said. “She was a bit tricky to train but we got along. She was French, very European, a little quirky and she took me to all the big days.

“She was my first graded stakes winner with the team that I rode regularly,” Smith continued. “She took me to Pegasus Day and Fountain of Youth Day at Gulfstream, she just always showed up and tried so hard. I had a good bond with her. Every day after she trained, I'd take her on a super long walk around the backside to hang out. She was such a cool horse.”

When Smith decided she wanted to travel and ply her trade on new frontiers, it was Charlotte Clement de Bona – Miguel’s sister – that helped make the connection to Walker.

Smith noted that Christophe Clement and Walker both worked for Luca Cumani, which, in some ways, made the transition easier for her.

“I find that while some things are different there are a lot of similarities as well, which is cool,” Smith said. “I'm so grateful to the Clement team. I went straight from high school to working full time with horses. I left for England in March to try riding somewhere new and I rode out a bit while I was traveling.”

But now, Smith is back in Saratoga and dedicated to Fort George, who she hopes will take her on yet another great journey.

“For the time being, I'm following ‘George’. He’s a cool horse to be around, I got lucky. The plan will be to run again stateside and take it one race at a time. We’ll hopefully stay here for the meet and then see where we go after that,” Smith said.

***

Star Casse fillies Nitrogen, Counting Stars breeze over Saratoga main track

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks with Grade 1-winners Nitrogen and Counting Stars in upcoming top-level engagements at Saratoga Race Course, and both fillies turned in solo half-mile works over the historic oval on Sunday.

D.J. Stable’s Kentucky homebred Nitrogen is gearing up for a highly-anticipated run against males in the prestigious Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 8 here, a nine-furlong route for 3-year-olds and up that awards a “Win and You’re In” berth into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in October at Keeneland.

The 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro posted her third work since a one-sided 12 3/4-length victory in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps presented by Ford on June 6 here, working solo in 48 and 3/5 seconds according to New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) clockers.

“Nitrogen just had a nice, easy breeze and I thought she went good,” Casse said. “We’re going to let her do a little more next week.”

The reigning Champion 3-Year-Old Filly, Nitrogen’s sophomore campaign was highlighted by local graded scores in the off-the-turf Grade 3 Wonder Again – which she won by 17 lengths over a sloppy and sealed main track – and the 10-furlong Grade 1 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales. She went on to land second against elders in the Grade 1 Spinster at Keeneland and the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Del Mar to close out the year. She was also a nose away from being a Grade 1 winner on turf and dirt, coming up just shy of Fionn in last year’s Belmont Oaks here.

West Point Thoroughbreds’ sophomore Counting Stars scored her first top-level victory on June 5 here, taking the DraftKings Acorn by 3 3/4 lengths over Kentucky Oaks-winner Always a Runner. The Honor A.P. bay is targeting the Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks at nine furlongs on July 25 here, and posted a solo half-mile work in 48 seconds flat, according to NYRA clockers.

“We’re at the point where we’re not worried too much about fitness anymore,” Casse said of how the filly has trained since the Acorn. “She’s in a happy place, and I thought this morning she was magnificent. She continues to amaze me. Nitrogen has already amazed me, but Counting Stars is really starting to act like she’s a serious horse.”

As for what lies beyond the Coaching Club American Oaks for Counting Stars later this summer, Casse said, “let’s get through this one first.”

***

Joseph, Jr. satisfied with elusive graded score for Movin’ On Up in G2 Caress

Ken Ramsey’s newly-minted graded stakes-winner Movin’ On Up was perky in her stall on Sunday morning at Saratoga Race Course as she watched other trainees walk the shed row, basking in the glow of her fast-closing victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Caress on Saturday at the Spa.

Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., the 5-year-old Accelerate grey made eight previous attempts at the graded level, and broke through on Saturday after her stablemate In Our Time and the speedy Sunna dueled through blistering fractions of 20.87 seconds and 43.24 over the firm footing in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint for older fillies and mares. The pacesetters grew weary and Movin’ On Up was angled out into the clear by Tyler Gaffalione to sweep past her rivals and outfoot Zeitlos along the inside, landing the 1 1/4-length score in a final time of 1:01.04.

The effort earned a 93 Beyer Speed Figure, equaling her career-best earned for a win in the Listed Sand Springs last March at Gulfstream Park.

“She had run well in graded stakes but had never won one, so to get that was good for her resume,” Joseph, Jr. said. “Now she’ll certainly have a chance to become a broodmare and her family has even been producing horses on the dirt."

Joseph, Jr. said it was special to be a part of furthering the legacy of 90-year-old owner Ken Ramsey, a prominent member of the industry for more than three decades who – along with his late wife, Sarah – bred and/or campaigned the likes of influential stallion Kitten’s Joy and Group 1 Dubai World Cup-winner Roses in May.

“It was huge for Mr. Ramsey,” Joseph, Jr. said. “It was his first time at Saratoga since having a kidney transplant and he’s not allowed to be in public too much, but he knows when to take his chances. Yesterday, he was out there and to see him win was special.

“I grew up watching him and I remember Roses in May winning the Dubai World Cup and Kitten’s Joy,” Joseph, Jr. continued. “What he did with Kitten’s Joy to make him one of the best stallions ever, and to make him a stallion of stallions, he’s created a revolutionary line in the pedigree of horses that will last for a lifetime and beyond. To see him still going and still enjoying it as much as he does just shows you what this game does for you. That win yesterday will give him even more years.”

Joseph, Jr. said both Movin’ On Up and In Our Time, who wound up third, emerged well from their respective efforts. While In Our Time is almost certain to target the Grade 1, $1.75 million [$875,000 KTDF] Kentucky Downs Ladies Sprint at 6 1/2-furlongs on August 29, Joseph, Jr. said Movin’ On Up’s next start is still up for discussion.

“Movin’ On Up hasn’t run well there, but last year she went a mile and this year it’s six and a half [furlongs], so maybe it will be different,” Joseph, Jr. said. “We’ll talk it over with Mr. Ramsey and see what he wants to do. I know he loves Kentucky Downs, and it will probably be hard to pass up.”

Joseph, Jr. also indicated that Magic Cap Stables, Paul Braverman, Timothy Pinch, Castle Gate Farm, BAG Racing Stables, Jonathan Reinhardt and Thoroughbred Acquisition Group’s Tessellate, seventh in Friday’s Grade 3 Victory Ride here, could next point to the Grade 2 Charles Town Oaks on August 28 in West Virginia.

***

Minaret Station likely for G1 Christophe Clement Turf

OXO Equine’s Kentucky homebred Minaret Station matched a career-best 96 Beyer Speed Figure for his closing half-length third in Saturday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green presented by Emeral Ecovations, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Will Walden, the 4-year-old Instilled Regard colt saved ground in fifth-of-6 and came with a strong run down the lane to complete the trifecta behind the victorious Ole Crazy Bone, who nosed out Fort George.

“They went the last three-eighths in 34 and 1, so if he makes up five lengths into that, he came home pretty quick. He ran a great race,” Walden said. “You see it often in these races with shorter fields and that was our fear going into it that he could be compromised by pace because he's not very tactical.”

Walden said Minaret Station will now point to the 12-furlong Grade 1, $750,000 Christophe Clement Turf on August 15, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf on October 31 at Keeneland.

“I thought he ran his race and as we go forward to the Christophe Clement and possibly the Breeders’ Cup in the fall, they aren't going to come up six-horse fields and we hopefully won't run into that [pace] problem in the future,” said Walden, who noted Minaret Station exited the race in good order.

Minaret Station, by Instilled Regard [a son of Arch], is out of the multiple graded stakes-winning Sir Prancealot mare Beau Recall. It was this strong family background that led Walden to stretching Minaret Station out beyond 1 1/16-miles for the first time.

“Pedigree on the top side with dad, he won the [2020] Manhattan going 10 [furlongs] and ran pretty admirably in the [2018] Kentucky Derby going 10 furlongs on the dirt,” Walden said. “That whole Arch line likes to go far. Mom would do whatever you ask her to do, just a salt of the earth, game race mare.

“With him, specifically, he's got a one-paced rhythmic stride to him,” Walden continued regarding Minaret Station. “He has an electric turn-of-foot but doesn't ever seem to get tired. He's just not got an overwhelming amount of [early] speed.”

Walden said he may nominate some pace help to the Christophe Clement Turf to avoid a scenario like the Bowling Green where the Mike Maker-trained Ole Crazy Bone was able to dish out moderate splits under Flavien Prat.

“It's just to ensure a fair race is run, you just want a level playing field and yesterday it didn't feel like a level playing field,” Walden said. “That's a credit to Mike, Flavien and Ole Crazy Bone, they got out there in front and he took a little bit of pace pressure in the first quarter-mile and Flavien stepped on the gas for a second and the other horse backed off and he slowed it down into everybody's face. He rode a great race.

“I wish he didn't already have blinkers on, and I could put them on,” he added, with a laugh. “His demeanor and disposition suit that kind of race style because he's so laid back, even with the blinkers.”

Walden also noted that Mo Speed Racing’s West End Kid, winner of the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge in June here and a last-out nose second to Title Role in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby July 4, is in good order.

The Twirling Candy sophomore is probable for the Grade 1, $750,000 Saratoga Derby presented by Qatar Racing at 1 3/16-miles on August 8.

“We'll take it week-by-week. He's run some hard races in a short period and hasn't really had that breather - pretty much run on the square every four weeks and put forth some big efforts,” Walden said. “If he's doing well and he's happy and acting like he's ready to rock again then we'll go out there and run.”

Walden also provided an update on dual Grade 1-winning millionaire Rhetorical [10-6-0-2, $1,866,730], who was last seen finishing a pacesetting fourth in the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan on June 6 here. Rhetorical wore an aluminum pad in the Manhattan to assist with a fungal infection in his foot.

Walden indicated that Rhetorical remains on target for a start in the Grade 1, $750,000 Fourstardave on August 8 here, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile in October at Keeneland.

“He was supposed to work this weekend at Churchill Downs, but no one could work due to weather. He'll probably go back to the work tab Thursday in preparation for the Fourstardave,” Walden said. “We feel like we've got the foot where we want it right now. It still has a little bit to go, but right now all systems go.”

The 5-year-old Not This Time gelding, bred in the Empire State by Mallory Mort and Karen Mort, captured the Grade 1 Turf Mile in October at Keeneland as well as the Grade 1 Turf Classic in May at Churchill.

“He's exceptional. I joke around with my guys that where this barn is right now is because of him - it's the house that Rhetorical built,” Walden said. “I owe everything to him. He shows up every single time with everything he has. He never holds back and never leaves anything in the locker room. It's our job as stewards of him to make sure he's 100 percent and we’re not going to lead him out there unless he is.”

***

Fort Washington breezes over Oklahoma turf; McGaughey mulls G1 Arlington Million title defense

Magic Cap Stables’ Grade 1-winning millionaire Fort Washington breezed a half-mile in 49 2/5 seconds, according to NYRA Clockers, on Sunday over the Oklahoma turf training track, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, the 7-year-old War Front dark bay is the defending winner of the 10-furlong Grade 1 Arlington Million at Colonial Downs, which is slated for August 1.

“I thought he went really well today, but I really don’t know what his plans are yet,” McGaughey said. “That [race] could be a possibility. It is a question mark. He likes those longer races over firm turf.”

Fort Washington last ran in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Wise Dan on June 27 at Churchill Downs, where he traveled last-of-9 early under Junior Alvarado and settled for seventh over turf rated good. He entered that spot from winning the nine-furlong Grade 3 Dinner Party in May at Laurel Park.

“I don’t think he took to the turf last time,” McGaughey said. “Alvarado tried to find a firm spot, but never could. He ran really good in the Dinner Party. We were very pleased with that.”

Last year, Fort Washington was a dead-heat fourth in the Wise Dan ahead of capturing the Arlington Million by a half-length over Grand Sonata.

Fort Washington is 33-8-3-8 overall with over $1.5 million in earnings. He was a $260,000 purchase at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale out of the Group 3-placed Turtle Bowl mare Azaelia.