A Summer's Mid-Week Dream

One of the great things about racing this time of year are the mid-week stakes races at Del Mar and Saratoga. Which brings us to the grade 2, $150,000 Adirondack Stakes for two-year-old fillies at 6-1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Wednesday. For those thinking ahead to the Breeders' Cup Championship, this race typically produces contenders with support in the Juvenile Fillies.

The door will be open for Beautician, a second-place finisher in her last race behind Hot Dixie Chick in the grade 3 Schuylerville at Saratoga on opening day. Hot Dixie Chick will miss the Adirondack, putting the spotlight on Beautician, a beautiful gray filly by Dehere and trained by Kenneth McPeek. She also gets the riding services of Kent Desormeaux, who has been one of the hotter stakes riders in the country this summer.

The Adirondack will also mark the first start by Dashing Debby under trainer Steven Asmussen. As we mentioned in The Brock Talk July 13, Dashing Debby (photo)was purchased by Rachel Alexanda owner Jess Jackson and sent to Asmussen following her 10-lenghth victory in her first race in the J.J.'s Dream Stakes at Calder Race Course near Miami.

The filly to watch however, will come from the D. Wayne Lukas stable in Decelerator. Lukas may never dominate 2-year-old racing again as he did in the late eighties and early nineties, but he is no doubt loaded in 2009 with Decelerator as potenially one of his main bullets. Another daughter of Dehere, Decelerator won the grade 3 Debutante at Churchill Downs in July before she stumbled badly in the Schuylerville and finished sixth. A clear trip Wednesday should result in a major improvement.

Asmussen will also saddle the undefeated filly Camile's Appeal, who has the Texas Stallion Stakes win at Lone Star Park on her resume.


Quality Road Has Impressive Work In Travers Preperation

While the casual fan may have a difficult time remembering Florida Derby winner Quality Road, who left the Kentucky Derby just days before the race with a quarter crack injury to his foot, everyone at Saratoga is taking note.

After his explosive return to the races in winning the Amersterdam Stakes (gr. 2) at Saratoga last month, the strapping son of Elusive Quality turned in a solid work stopping the clock in 1:13.19 over six furlongs. Trainer Todd Pletcher seemed extremely happy with the effort saying it was a "nice, stamina-building breeze," according to bloodhorse.com.

In his last two races, Quality Road has set track records. He won the Floriday Derby in March in 1:47.72 for 1-1/8 miles, and then the Amerstam in 1:13/74 for six and one-half furlongs,