West Point Thoroughbreds will team with leading jockeys Irad and Jose Ortiz for a couple of key assignments on Saturday’s Whitney card as TDN Rising Star Ewing will move forward from his 12-length debut win over 4th of July weekend, stepping up in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes. Irad was named for the mount at entry time but it will be Jose who will get a leg up.

Irad sticks with Cugino for the Grade 1 Fourstardave on the turf at Saratoga. Cugino carries in two straight wins, including the Tropical Park Derby last December with Ortiz aboard. Story on his win at the Big A in June. He is 10-to-1 in a stiff field for the Fourstardave, representing the Hall of Fame barn of trainer Shug McGaughey.

Ewing, trained by Mark Casse, is 8-to-5 on the morning line for the Saratoga Special.

West Point has a full plate at the Spa including a nice glimpse at the 2-year-old class with three debuting runners: Intricate Spirit and British Invasion for Miguel Clement and Abrigado for Brad Cox. Five horses will represent the Black and Gold on Saturday’s card alone.