The mineral springs of Saratoga Springs, N.Y. have been drawing travelers in search of relaxation and improved health to the region since the early 1800s. Although the horses who stable at Saratoga Race Course likely are not visiting any of those springs, the track has often been praised for its rejuvenating impact on certain horses.
Last year, a trip to the Spa helped Morplay Racing's Shisospicy recover from an uncharacteristically poor performance when traveling to Royal Ascot. Although she never raced at Saratoga, trainer Jose D'Angelo used it to build her back up and prep for the fall. The result was Eclipse Award honors as champion female sprinter after winning the Music City Stakes (G2T) at Kentucky Downs and becoming the first 3-year-old filly to win the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).
D'Angelo—who is also currently keeping strings in Florida, Kentucky, Virginia, and California—selected Saratoga as the place to work Shisospicy back into a groove in hope history repeats itself.
"I think it's the right place to spend the summer with her, especially since it worked for her last year," D'Angelo said.
Although, this year has been a lot different than last. In late January, Shisospicy developed an infection that kept her from intended targets in the Middle East. Once she got back going again, she was entered in the Unbridled Sidney Stakes (G2T) May 1 at Churchill Downs and ran a flat last-of-seven.
The 4-year-old daughter of Mitole emerged out of the race sick and, for the first time in her career, reached a full stop as she went to spend turn-out time at Gainesway Farm near Lexington.
Now, Shisospicy is back in action with D'Angelo's Saratoga string, and the rest seems to have done her well. She reached another milestone on the comeback trail Aug. 2 with a return to the worktab, recording 3 furlongs in :38.75 with regular exercise rider Jose Rivera aboard on Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track.
Champion female sprinter Shisospicy recorded her first work this morning (3F in :38.75) since returning to training for @JFDAngelo @MorplayRacing. And she got some snacks afterward 🥕 pic.twitter.com/NUQHoiDfVV
— Sean Collins (@BH_SCollins) August 2, 2026
"I'm very happy with the workout, we let her roll," D'Angelo said. "The most important thing was to see how she came out, and she came out fresh. She hasn't worked since the (Unbridled Sidney), so it was a very good sign that we are on the right path with her."
The work didn't seem to have much of an impact as Shisospicy cooled out at the barn, making her hotwalker stop on each loop so that she could search her connections for carrots.
Timing wise, Shisospicy will likely not be ready in time to return for the Kentucky Downs meet this year but sights are still set on a title defense in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland. Given the lack of stakes options for female turf sprinters at the time, D'Angelo said he would aim for an allowance race at Churchill Downs or Keeneland in September or early October to prep.
"I think we are too tight on time to be in Kentucky Downs," D'Angelo said. "I don't want to push her. Whenever she's ready, we are going to be there."
D'Angelo's 2025 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Bentornato was sidelined last month after suffering a small sesamoid fracture. D'Angelo said the surgery to repair the injury went "very good" and the 5-year-old son of Valiant Minister is at a farm in Kentucky, proceeding with three months of rest. He said the plan is to still bring Bentornato back for the 2027 season.
