Woodslane Farm's Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy), who broke his maiden over the Saratoga turf two summers ago and scored his signature win on it in the GI Sword Dancer S. last August, returns to his favorite course to avenge a loss in the GII Bowling Green S. Saturday, but will have plenty of competition in the extremely deep renewal.
Taking the lead into deep stretch of the Bowling Green last year, the chestnut was run down late and finished third, beaten a half-length. Since his Sword Dancer heroics, he has gone just one-for-six, and comes off a tough beat when nailed on the wire to finish a neck second in the GI Woodford Reserve Manhattan S. last out June 9 at Belmont.
The 5-year-old finished a neck in front of La Providencia's Hi Happy (Arg) (Pure Prize) that day and the two will renew their budding rivalry Saturday. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the homebred Hi Happy bested Sadler's Joy when annexing both the GII Pan American S. and GI Man O' War S. during the spring.
Also returning from the Manhattan are Darby Dan Farm Racing's Manitoulin (Awesome Again), who ran sneaky well to be fourth at 30-1 after chasing wide and Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber's Channel Maker (English Channel), who checked in eighth but was beaten just 1 1/2 lengths.
Al Shahania Stud America's Money Multiplier (Lookin At Lucky), second in the Sword Dancer here last summer, rates a good chance. Taking the GII Monmouth S. May 26, he was a narrow second as the favorite in the GI United Nations S. last out June 30.
Highland Sky (Sky Mesa) could be on the verge of a breakthrough. Winless in nine starts since capturing a Gulfstream allowance last February, the gelding got off the schneid with a neck score a Belmont optional claimer June 24. He earned an easily career-best 103 Beyer that day, and the runner-up, Call Provision (Lemon Drop Kid), returned to win a strong allowance last Saturday at Saratoga.
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