Ballston Spa: Ozara Stays Perfect at Saratoga; Disappointments for Edict and Maggie Go

The Irish filly took the victory, while the Argentine-bred mares disappointed, finishing fifth and sixth, respectively

Ozara still doesn’t know what it means to lose at Saratoga / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).-Friday’s Ballston Spa S. (G2, 1 1/16 miles, turf, $300,000) at Saratoga made it clear that whenever Ozara sets foot on the famed New York oval, she’s right at home. The Lope de Vega filly, carrying the colors of Cheyenne Stables, improved her record over the Mellon Turf Course to a perfect 3-for-3 with a decisive 1 1/2-length score, reaffirming that Saratoga is “her place in the world.”

For the Argentine-bred runners, however, there was little to celebrate. Edict (Il Campione), piloted by John Velazquezfor trainer David Donk, broke sharply to set sharp fractions of :23 and :46.69 in a demanding tempo. But the early exertion took its toll in the lane, and she faded to fifth, 8 1/4 lengths adrift of the winner. Maggie Go (Winning Prize), the other Argentine representative and a betting choice, never managed to get involved, finishing sixth and next-to-last, 10 3/4 lengths back, leaving her connections disappointed.

Edict showed the way early, hounded by No Mo Candy (Uncle Mo), while Ozara traveled comfortably along the inside, biding her time. Local rider Dylan Davis, who had partnered the filly to victory in a division of the De La Rose S. (L) July 10, once again gave her a flawless ride. As Edict began to tire in the stretch, Davis found a seam along the rail, slipped through with surgical precision, and unleashed Ozara’s turn of foot to pull clear with authority.

No Mo Candy tried to offer resistance, but the Miguel Clement trainee displayed a superior burst to stop the clock in 1:39.65. Deep Satin (American Pharoah), winner of the other division of the De La Rose, closed strongly to take second by a head over No Mo Candy, with Whiskey Decision (Into Mischief) rounding out the superfecta.

Bred in Ireland by Fleche D’Or Partnership and campaigned by both Christophe and Miguel Clement, Ozara was earning her fourth stakes win and seventh career victory from 13 starts, boosting her bankroll to $646,285. Her perfect Saratoga record now includes a juvenile score, last month’s De La Rose, and the Ballston Spa, all marked by her evident affinity for the course.

“She’s been training here and really built some momentum,” Clement said. “Saratoga suits her because she has great tactical speed. The pace was quick today, but she always traveled comfortably. It’s ambitious to run three times in eight weeks at this level, but she was doing well, eating well, and full of energy. When all those things are in place, you have to take advantage.”

The mare’s next targets could include a trip to Keeneland for the GI First Lady S. Oct. 4 or even Del Mar for the GI Matriarch at season’s end, a race won by several De La Rose alumni in recent years.

As for the Argentine mares, reflection will be needed. Edict showed courage on the front end but paid the price late, while Maggie Go never found a competitive rhythm. In Saratoga’s demanding environment against international-class rivals, the challenge proved too steep this time.