Summer in Saratoga Wins Rood & Riddle Dowager

Keeneland hosts Heroes Day Presented by Rubicon

Highlander Training Center’s Summer in Saratoga held off a late bid from favored Luck Money by a half-length to win the 30^th running of the $150,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) for fillies and mares Sunday afternoon.

Trained by Joe Sharp and ridden by Corey Lanerie, Summer in Saratoga covered 1½ miles on a turf course rated as good in 2:30.02. It is the first victory in the Rood & Riddle Dowager for Sharp and Lanerie.

Summer in Saratoga got a ground-saving trip while racing seventh in the field of 10 as the trio of Eesha My Flower, Key Biscayne and Kelsey’s Cross led the field through fractions of :23.80, :48.93, 1:14.77 and 1:40.08.

On the far turn, Lanerie eased Summer in Saratoga off the rail, moved three wide into the stretch where he split horses at the three-sixteenths pole and drew off with enough left in the tank to hold off Luck Money.

In winning her first graded stakes and third stakes overall, Summer in Saratoga added $90,000 to her bankroll to increase her career earnings to $429,572.

A Keeneland sales graduate, Summer in Saratoga is a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Hard Spun out of the Arch mare Love Theway Youare.

Summer in Saratoga returned $12.80, $5.20 and $4.20. Luck Money, ridden by Joel Rosario, returned $3.40 and $2.80 and finished 2 lengths ahead of Micheline, who paid $5.20 to show under Florent Geroux.

Kelsey’s Cross finished another 1¼ lengths back in fourth and was followed in order by English Affair, La Lune (GB), Viburnum, Key Biscayne, Eesha My Flower and I Hear You.

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A weanling half-brother to Summer in Saratoga has been cataloged to Keeneland’s November Breeding Stock Sale, to be held Nov. 10-19. Consigned by Denali Stud, agent, the son of Omaha Beach is Hip 935.

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Today was Heroes Day Presented by Rubicon, which honored members of the military (active duty and veterans) and first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and health care workers) and their families with free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seats. Guests enjoyed free lunch from City BBQ and children’s activities in the Family Zone in the North Terrace.

The afternoon included a number of recognitions in the Winner’s Circle and around the track.

Click here for an unfurling of the American flag by the Henry Clay High School Junior ROTC. Dr. Everett McCorvey of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre led the crowd in the singing of “America the Beautiful.”

Please note in the foreground of the attached photo: As part of Heroes Day Presented by Rubicon, Keeneland remembered those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Keeneland placed wreaths on four reserved benches on the trackside apron in memoriam of the 13 service members killed in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26.

Also, the POW-MIA Chair of Honor near the Paddock represented the program that brings awareness to past and current POW-MIA military members through a partnership with The Rolling Thunder Kentucky Chapter 5.

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The final four days of Keeneland’s 17-day Fall Meet begin Wednesday when racing resumes with an eight-race program beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

The Super High 5 carryover is $20,051.22.