The Honorable Miss

Whitney weekend action got off to an exciting and sloppy start with a close finish in The Honorable Miss Stakes. Long shot Willa On The Move passed favorite  Shine Again to gain a half length win. Also in the field were Smoke n' Frolic, Raging Fever, and  Shawklit Mint.

Sloppy finish in The Honorable Miss

The Whitney Stakes

Saratoga's premiere race for older handicap horses  can be expected to draw the best in the country and this year was no exception. Medaglia  d'Oro and "02" Breeders Cup Classic winner Volponi headed a field which also included Evening Attire and Saarland. Medaglia d'Oro cruised to an easy length victory over Volponi, avenging his loss in last year's Classic. 

Medaglia d'Oro before The Whitney

Jerry Bailey pilots Medaglia d'Oro to an easy win in The Whitney Handicap

Impressive Two-Year-Old

Marylou Whitney's homebred Birdstone (Grindstone - Dear Birdie by Stormbird) scored an impressive twelve length victory over a drying Saratoga track in a time of 1:10.32. Do I smell a Derby? 

Birdstone in impressive maiden win

Strong Hope holds off Empire Maker in a "Jim Dandy" Finish

The Jim Dandy

The heavily favored Empire Maker just missed catching the front running Strong Hope at the wire to give this race a finish worthy of its name and tradition. The added eighth of a mile may prove to be Strong Hope's undoing in the Travers, but it looks like Empire Maker will relish the added distance. With Ten Most Wanted and Funny Cide also in the gate, this year's midsummer derby should be one to remember.

Saratoga 03

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