Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence's Takeover Target (Harlan's Holiday) looks to secure his second consecutive graded stakes win on the Saratoga turf Saturday in the GIII Saranac S. One of three entries from the Chad Brown barn, the morning-line favorite opened his account with a pair of victories at Belmont Oct. 26 and May 7, respectively. A neck second to GSW Divisidero (Kitten's Joy) in that venue's Pennine Ridge S. May 30, the bay finished fifth in the GI Belmont Derby July 4 and captured this venue's GII Hall of Fame S. last time Aug. 7.
Stablemate and fellow Klaravich and Lawrence colorbearer Money Multiplier (Lookin at Lucky) enters off a close second in Delaware's grassy 1 1/8-mile GIII Kent S. July 18. The Kent was the dark bay's turf debut after four previous starts on the dirt, including a narrow graduation at Belmont in last start before the surface switch May 3.
Brown is also represented by Head of Plains Partners Winter Springs (Fr) (Stormy River {Fr}), who was making his U.S. debut when sixth in the Hall of Fame. Previously trained by J. Reynier, the chestnut won two of his nine starts in France, finishing second in his final start there in a Compiegne allowance Mar. 16.
Also exiting the Hall of Fame is fourth-place finisher World Approval (Northern Afleet), who is a half brother to turf stars Miesque's Approval (Miesque's Son), Za Approval (Ghostzapper) and Revved Up (Sultry Song). Previously trained by Christophe Clement, the Live Oak homebred has won three of his six starts for trainer Mark Casse, including the GIII American Derby at Arlington Park July 11.
Casse will also saddle John Oxley's Sky Hero (Sky Mesa) in this test. The bay graduated at second asking on the dirt at Keeneland Oct. 12 and won an allowance on the Churchill Downs main track next out Nov. 8. Eighth to “TDN Rising Star” El Kabeir (Scat Daddy) in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. there Nov. 29, he was a close second last time in his turf debut in a one-mile allowance here Aug. 15.
Peter Vegso's Go Around (Medaglia d'Oro) takes a step up in class for Hall of Famer Bill Mott in this spot. A second-out graduate going 1 1/4 miles at Belmont May 14, the dark bay finished third in an allowance at that course and distance next out June 27 and returned to win a 1 3/16-mile test on the local sod Aug. 1. “The way he ran last time, he is coming off a big, big effort,” said Mott. “We are very happy with the way he is doing. Hopefully, he will step up.”
Rounding out the field are Repole Stable's Nonna's Boy (Distorted Humor), who won his turf debut in Monmouth's Lamplight S. last time July 18, and Robert Spiegel's Vision Perfect (Pollard's Vision), a two-time stakes winner on the turf downstate and seventh in the Hall of Fame.
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