SARATOGA SPRINGS – King Congie made the first start of his racing career at Saratoga 12 months ago. Now he’s back – a year older, a year wiser – ready to tackle all comers in Sunday’s $100,00 Saranac Stakes (gr. III).
SARATOGA SPRINGS – King Congie made the first start of his racing career at Saratoga 12 months ago. Now he’s back – a year older, a year wiser – ready to tackle all comers in Sunday’s $100,00 Saranac Stakes (gr. III).
The Grade III event, run at 1 â…› miles on the inner turf, will be King Congie’s sixth start of an eventful year in which he won the Tropical Park Derby, missed a Hallendale Stakes victory due to disqualification (he was placed third), finished third by a head in the prestigious Blue Grass Stakes, ran in the Preakness, and returned to turf in the Virginia Derby.
“King Congie has been doing very well since shipping to Saratoga,” trainer Tom Albertrani reported. “He has a full field to contend with in this race, so we’re hoping he’ll get a better trip than he did last time, and a chance to turn in his winning run.”
This son of Badge of Silver faces his most formidable opponent in stablemate Brilliant Speed, who got the Blue Grass win and heads back to turf after running fifth on the dirt in the July 31 Jim Dandy. Brilliant Speed is the 7-2 favorite on the morning line, while King Congie is the 5-1 second choice and will break from post 8 under jockey Rajiv Maragh.
“This horse tries very hard in his races, and we're excited to see him in with a big shot in such a competive race,” Terry Finley said. “He’s not a flashy workhorse, he’s kind of a workmanlike horse. We think he’ll show up and give a good account of himself. I saw him this morning and can’t believe how much he’s matured and filled out in just a few short months. I don’t think he was at his best on Virginia Derby day, but I think he’s sitting on a huge race in here.”
The Saranac, race nine with a post time of 5:12 p.m. EDT, is the co-feature on a 12-race card on Spinaway Stakes Day, Sept. 4.
