Mon Jul 23 17:27:24 2007

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Saratoga opens with titles up for grab

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Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Historic Saratoga Race Track opens this week, marking the start of the second-half of the thoroughbred racing year. Divisional titles are on the line as none of the major runners have established themselves as Numero Uno.

The 80th running of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap on Saturday will give older horses the first opportunity to move to the head of the handicap division. Last year's Horse of the Year Invasor, and winner of the 2006 Whitney, is now retired.

Stephen Foster winner Flashy Bull can become the top handicap horse with a win in the Whitney. He is expected to be challenged by Oaklawn Handicap champ Lawyer Ron, Foster runner-up Magna Graduate and Sun King, second to Invasor in last year's Whitney.

A victory in the Whitney will automatically put the winner into the Breeders' Cup Classic. The race is part of the new Breeders Cup Challenge. This year's Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships will be conducted at Monmouth Park over a two day period.

Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense is expected to be the odds-on favorite for Sunday's $500,000 Jim Dandy for three-year-olds. Street Sense has not raced since finishing second to Curlin in the Preakness Stakes. Peter Pan champ Sightseeing is the probable second choice in the 1 1/8 mile race.

The Jim Dandy is a major prep race for the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 25. The 2006 Jim Dandy and Travers was won by eventual three-year-old champion Bernardini.

On August 18 Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches is to make her first start since that historic victory. After a slight fever prevented her from running in the Coaching Club American Oaks, Rags to Riches is being pointed toward the Alabama Stakes by trainer Todd Pletcher.