Clement Stakes Puts Turf Division In Focus This Weekend

The lone Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race on tap this weekend is the 1 1/2-mile Christophe Clement Turf Stakes (G1T) Aug. 15 on the inner turf at Saratoga Race Course, which will ensure the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) division will be a point of focus. I wonder if the connections of division leader Burnham Square will be taking notes on this race—especially the three European-based runners with which they're not as familiar as some of the North American-trained runners? It's still August and we'll wait to see what runners—specifically which international runners—show up for this year's Turf, but Burnham Square has established himself as a real threat to become the first North American-based runner to win the 1 1/2-mile test since Bricks and Mortar, the Chad Brown-trained runner who would be named 2019 champion turf male and Horse of the Year off that effort. Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Burnham Square, a top horse on the dirt last season at 3 when he won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, earned his first grade 1 victory on turf Aug. 1 when he captured the Arlington Million Stakes at Colonial Downs. That score extended his winning streak to four straight races, all on the green. The son of Liam's Map has enjoyed steadily improving Equibase Speed Figures this season as well, as his first victory in this win streak, a 9 3/4-length score in the Elkhorn Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland, earned a 106 while his Arlington Million effort registered at 109. At this point, the top European runner for the Turf appears to be Godolphin's Ombudsman (IRE), who currently is tied with Ka Ying Rising (HK) as the top-rated horse on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. In June, Ombudsman punched his ticket to the Turf with a victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Though Burnham Square will sit out the Clement, formerly known as the Sword Dancer but renamed this year by New York Racing Association to honor the late Hall of Fame trainer, the Turf division promises to take a bit more shape Saturday at Saratoga. While the field includes such accomplished North American runners as Minaret Station, Program Trading (GB), Ole Crazy Bone, and Tawny Port, let's focus on the European-trained runners. Top runs here would figure to put them on the Breeders' Cup path. Amo Racing USA's Ancient Egypt (IRE), a 3-year-old son of Frankel (GB), is a neck and a head away from entering Saturday's race off of two big group stakes wins. Trained by Charlie Johnston, Ancient Egypt finished second to Causeway (IRE) in the King Edward VII Stakes (G2) at the Royal Ascot meeting before just missing in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) July 14 at ParisLongchamp, when edged by Maltese Cross (FR). Mrs. Fitriani Hay's Fort George (GB) will make his second North American start after finishing second in the Bowling Green Stakes (G2T), just a nose behind front-running winner Ole Crazy Bone. Earlier this year, Fort George, a 4-year-old son of Territories (IRE), won the Dubai Millennium Stakes (G3T) at Meydan Racecourse. Making a quick turnaround will be Glens Falls Stakes (G2T) winner Survie (IRE), who registered a 1 3/4-length victory in that race, marking the United States debut for the 5-year-old daughter of Churchill (IRE). Trained by George Boughey, Survie captured that 1 1/2-mile race on the inner turf Aug. 2 and will try to repeat at the same route just 13 days later.