The traditional Saratoga summer meet gets underway Friday, and West Point Thoroughbreds will be represented on opening day by Pillar of Beauty in the $150,000 Wild Applause Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf.

West Point heads into another Saratoga season after posting six wins from 33 starters (18%) during last summer’s meet, complemented by five runner-up finishes and six thirds.

Pillar of Beauty earned her spot in the Wild Applause with an upset allowance victory over the Mellon Turf Course during the Friday card of Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. This Friday, the Bill Mott trainee will stretch out to a mile distance for the first time.

Junior Alvarado retains the mount and has been aboard for both of Pillar of Beauty’s two career wins. She will have the outside post, looking to give West Point a strong start to the 2026 Saratoga meet.