The Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series made its way to Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, with winners earning spots in the respective World Championships race, to be held at Santa Anita on October 25 and 26. 27,297 fans packed the historic oval in Saratoga Springs on a warm afternoon with temperatures in the mid 80's, with rains passing through late in the card.
The headline event was the $750,000 Whitney Handicap (G1) for older horses with the Breeders' Cup Classic as a target. 11 older horses entered this 1 1/8 mile main track feature, with Suburban Handicap runner-up Solar Flare sent off as the lukewarm 7-2 choice over 9-2 second choice Commentator, runner-up in the Metropolitan last time out. Rising Moon, third in the Suburban in his last start, was the 5-1 third choice.
Jockey John Velazquez sent Commentator immediately to an uncontested lead of as many as 2 1/2 lengths, while setting fractions of 24.16, 47.73, and 1:11.80. Timber Reserve and Solar Flare stalked the pace down the backstretch. On the far turn, Solar Flare put in a mild bid for the lead, dismissing the tiring Timber Reserve and moving within 1 1/2 lengths of the pacesetting Commentator but he flattened out after 7 furlongs and faded late to eventually finish seventh. Student Council, tenth early, came out five wide into the stretch and closed with a rush to get second at the furlong marker. However, Commentator was already 4 lengths in front at this point, and he cruised under the line ahead by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:50.23 over the fast track. It was a long 8 1/2 lengths back to Grasshopper third.
The Diana Stakes and the Vanderbilt Handicap on Saturday
The Jim Dandy and Henry Walton Stakes from Sunday plus the Lake George Stakes from Friday
