Summer racing is in full swing, and West Point Thoroughbreds will have a big presence across the country this weekend, led by a pair of graded stakes contenders and six confirmed starters at Saratoga Race Course.
The marquee races come Saturday, when Carson’s Run and Bullard each take aim at graded stakes company while the Spa will be the stage for a deep weekend of action.
Carson’s Run, a two-time Grade 1 winner and earner of more than $1.6 million, returns to familiar surroundings in the Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes at Saratoga. Trained by Miguel Clement, the 5-year-old has already compiled an outstanding Saratoga résumé, highlighted by a debut win at 2 and his Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational victory in 2024.
Looking to rekindle that form, Clement believes the signs have been encouraging in recent weeks.
“I think he should appreciate the distance. More importantly, I think he’s training very, very well here at Saratoga with us,” Clement said. “He’s been settled here for a couple weeks. It took us a little bit of time to get him back into form. But at the moment, he’s giving us every indication that he’s back to his best.”
Joel Rosario reunites with Carson’s Run for the 1 3/8-mile test on the Saratoga inner turf, where Clement will also attempt to win the Bowling Green for the second consecutive year. Carson’s Run drew post 5 in a competitive field that includes European invader Fort George.
Later Saturday evening, Bullard will tackle the Grade 3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap in Iowa. The Michael McCarthy trainee is 6-to-1 for the nine-furlong event as he looks to add a second graded stakes victory to his résumé. Kazushi Kimura has the mount.
The graded stakes duo headlines a busy slate for West Point, which has six horses confirmed to run over the weekend at Saratoga:
- 2yo first-time starter Harpoon on Saturday on Saturday
- Yinzer (Saturday)
- Grunge (Saturday)
- Carson’s Run (Saturday, G2 Bowling Green)
- 2yo first-time starter Casino (Sunday)
- Golden Joker (Sunday)
In addition, Brightline Bullet is on the also-eligible list for Saturday’s eighth race.
