A crowd of 25,025 came out to Saratoga Race Course on Saturday for the $250,000 Test Stakes (G1) under cloudy skies and temperatures in the 70's. Last year's champion juvenile filly Indian Blessing was sent off as the 2-5 favorite, coming off a 5 length win in the Prioress Stakes after minor setbacks in the Acorn and Fair Grounds Oaks. Beautiful Day Stakes winner Sweet Hope was the 5-1 second choice over Miss Preakness Stakes winner Palanka City at 7-1.
Palanka City and J Z Warrior battled for the lead exiting the chute getting the quarter in 22.62 before J Z Warrior dropped back. Indian Blessing sat out of traffic trouble 5 wide early in 3rd, and moved up to second on the turn, just behind Palanka City who got the half in 45.33 over the fast main track. Entering the stretch, John Velazquez asked the champion for run and got it, as Indian Blessing easily disposed of the pacesetter at the quarter pole and opened up a 4 length lead at the 1/8 pole, getting 3/4 in 1:09.72. Sweet Hope, who was 5th early, moved up to second but issued no challenge to Indian Blessing, who cruised under the line 7 lengths in front, completing the 7 furlong trip in 1:22.70. It was another 3 lengths back to longest shot Ms. Margaret H. in third.
