Paul tipped 16-1, 13-5 and 12-5 winners in his penultimate column, and his Wednesday preview features the Johnstone Stakes at Saratoga.
As a rule on a weeknight, I tend not to pick races for the Stateside Preview too late in the evening over here. I had to make an exception to include the featured stake at Saratoga on Wednesday. The Johnstone at 01.46am (UAE) is for New York bred fillies and mares over seven furlongs on the dirt and you can watch it live on Play971.ae
A couple of the field of eight are almost overqualified for the race. Not only have Iron Orchard and Usha won open stakes but at Grade 1 level. It does make it a fascinating renewal. The race preceding it is not without interest either.
It is stakes calibre allowance optional claimer on the turf. Brisbane and Ashikidah both ran well in a deep race for the level here last month. The pair are former French trained. It would be unfair to say Ashikidah is an Aga Khan stable cast off as her new owners paid $465,000 for her in December. She does look the type to win some nice races in North America.
Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 6 (00.45am)
Maiden Special Weight – Indian bred fillies and mares – 3-year-olds and upwards – 5 ½ Furlongs – Dirt
Misty Moon Song (7) who has had four career starts, has the best form. She ran second in a maiden here last month with a trio of these behind her. The winner scored well in an allowance event next time giving a boost to that form. The race was run on a wet track but she ran just as well on a dry footing when second in June. She did look a hard ride, trying to lug out on the turn. Maybe back on a fast surface will suit. She is the standard setter.
There much be a chance second time starter It'stheonlywaytogo (10) improves past Misty Moon Song (7). She lost her position in the middle part of the race but kept on well in the straight. Interestingly, she took some money on her debut so may be capable of better. She only has two lengths to find with Misty Moon Song (7). Tiva (11) has more to find. Her last ran can be ignored as she tried a mile on the turf.
GRAND ARIAT (5) may be the play as possibly the second or third favourite here. She was placed at a safe distance in a pair of maidens last August and September. The winner of her last start ran second in a state bred stake next time. She makes her three-year-old debut for a new trainer and racing with lasix for the first time. She’s been working really forwardly suggesting she may have improved from two to three.
Sparkle Justice (8) was subject of some market support on debut but soon folded after stalking the pace. She is with one of the top trainers of Indiana breds on the grounds so can’t be written off based on one run. Very capable trainer Justin Radosevich is a rare visitor to Indiana. He is double-handed with a pair of first-time starters. A market move for Marty Girl(6) or Kathi's Girl (9) could be worth following. Holiday Sky (2) is making her career debut as a four year old. She does get the services of a 7lb claimer who is riding plenty of winners.
Selection: GRAND ARIAT (5)
Allowance Optional Claiming – Fillies and Mares – 3-year-olds and upwards – 1 Mile – Turf
A big field has been entered but only a maximum of seven will run if this race stays on the turf. It is still a very contentious event with no throw-outs. Brisbane (6) and ASHIKIDAH (1) ran a close third and fourth respectively in a similar event here last month. The first two home were stakes winners, making it a deep race for the level. Chad Brown’s Brisbane (6) now gets the services of Flavien Prat. She looks very solid but maybe ASHIKIDAH (1) can turn the tables. Unlike her old rival, she was having her first of the year. She was a $465,000 sales purchase from The Aga Khan Stables in December. The rail drawn runner showed progressive form in the second half of 2025 for Francis Graffard. Her new trainer Philip Antonacci is not as high profile as Chad Brown but wins a very good rate.
Marketplaceofideas (5) is a barn mate of Brisbane (6). She showed promise in her first three starts. The penny has dropped with her since she returned in April. She broke her maiden in April and followed that up with an entry level allowance event here in June. The four-year-old seems to be able to run her race no matter what the pace scenario. In contrast, Shore War (7) showed improved form when making an easy lead to win at the level below his one at Laurel in June. Gowells Delight (2) could stop her making the front on her own. She has only tried turf once and that was a Grade 3 last year.
On class, Tirupati (3) is a big player here. She was a Grade 3 winner last year who made a fine return at Ellis Park last month. The filly she ran a close second to ran well in a deep stake back in Kentucky on Sunday. Pop Art (4) has less on her CV but is lightly raced. She followed up a maiden win at Tampa with an allowance score at Aqueduct.
Selection: ASHIKIDAH (1)
Horseshoe Indianapolis Race 7 (01.16am)
Maiden Special Weight – 2 year olds – 5 Furlongs – Dirt
The juvenile with the best form so far is Uncle With Money (11). He was placed in both his starts in Kentucky in the spring. Now after three months freshening, he is likely to improve. He’s been working well and has decent early speed. Five furlongs may turn out to be his best distance. As things stand, he has shown more than a pair who debuted at Ellis Park last month. Beach Vibe (5) ran well for a long way and may be fitter second time out. So too may Merit Badge (10). He has worked well running third first time out in Kentucky.
There are a host of newcomers that could be very competitive here. Maybe the most obvious based on his record with unraced horses is The Brad Cox-trained AMAZING MAX (9). His dam was multiple graded stakes placed. Interestingly, she won on her career debut. Virtually all her siblings either won or ran big first time out. His trainer must think he has the speed to contend at five furlongs on debut.
Like many of these, the selection is a homebred. At $335,000, Grand Opry (7) is by far the most expensive sales purchase in this line up. He sports some nice workouts in Kentucky early last month. His trainer Jack Sisterson has a fine record with first time starters. He has the look of a live runner. So too may be Shai A (12). His trainer has won with two of only four starters at this meet.
C R Sultan (8) is another debutant who has been working like he has ability. Fellow firster Chenal Valley (2) goes for a capable trainer. Maybe as interesting is HARD ZONE (4). His trainer won a Grade 3 with a juvenile at Saratoga on Sunday. That filly won first time out at Churchill. Her workouts going into her debut were hardly eye-catching. With in mind, it may be safe not to read too much into his work tab.
Selection: AMAZING MAX (9)
Longshot: HARD ZONE (4)
The Johnstone – A stake for New York bred fillies and mares – 3-year-olds and upwards – 7 Furlongs – Dirt
Rarely do you get two Grade 1 winners in a New York bred stake. Both the winners at that level have been facing open and graded stakes company. Iron Orchard (7) won her first three starts culminating in the Grade 1 Frizette last October. She was used up on a hot pace in a Grade 3 on her three-year-old debut last month. It will be interesting to see if second time back, she is ridden more patiently. Likewise USHA (6) who was ridden aggressively and paid the price in a Grade 2 at Churchill last time. Her Grade 1 win at Santa Anita in December came from off the pace. So did a Grade 1 placing in Kentucky in May. If she is back to her best, she will be awfully tough to beat.
Trainer Linda Rice is double-handed. The shorter price is likely to be With The Angels (5). She won back to back races earlier in the year including an open stake at Aqueduct. Her comeback in a Grade 3 in May was a decent one. The experiment on the turf since although not bad can be ignored. She can stalk and finish. In a possible speed-laden affair, she may get a set up. Her barn mate Munnings Express (3) ran sneaky well in a deep open allowance event here last month. If Manny Franco can work out a trip just off the pacesetters, she can outrun her odds.
Bam's Bliss Kiss (1) and Sunday Girl (4) have both won stakes like this one in the past. The rail drawn runner not so long ago. She was making it a six-timer at Aqueduct in April. Key to her chances of posting a minor upset is the lead on her own. One of The Wes Ward-trained pair has good speed. His Naive Melody (8) made it a hat-trick of wins here in June. She gets a class test but is only lightly raced. Her barn mate Landed (2) has looked a non-stayer over nine furlongs in her last two starts. Her last run when she stumbled early may mean she gets ignored in the market. She is a New York stakes winner over today’s distance.
Selection: USHA (6)
