Since 1928, the Whitney Stakes has been a summer standard at Saratoga for the older horses. The $1 million test will be contested at 1-1/8 miles, a full lap of the Saratoga oval, and brings together top hopefuls in both the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Dirt Mile divisions. The Grade 1 Whitney headlines a 5-stakes Saturday card at the Spa that also includes the Grade 1 Test and Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational.
Let’s meet the contenders for the Whitney (Race 11):
#1-POST TIME: Top Maryland-bred has won graded stakes at Laurel and Aqueduct and exits a runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Met Mile to Whitney return rival National Treasure. This will be his first start around 2 turns while making his 12th trip to the post. Sired by 2016 Whitney winner Frosted. Spouses Brittany and Sheldon Russell team up once again, having won Sunday’s Alma North Stakes at Laurel with Apple Picker.
#2-DISARM: Last year’s Travers runner-up and Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher makes only his third start of the season after a disappointing sixth in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster. Son of 2017 Whitney champ Gun Runner. Jockey Joel Rosario rode Whitney winners in 2016 (Frosted) and 2021 (Knicks Go), while trainer Steve Asmussen’s trophy case includes Gun Runner’s 2017 Whitney.
#3-NATIONAL TREASURE: Pegasus World Cup and Met Mile victories give him the top resume in the older male dirt division so far in 2024, which also includes a fourth in the $20 million Saudi Cup. The ’23 Preakness winner has earned $5.3 million. Trainer Bob Baffert won back-to-back Whitney editions with McKinzie and Improbable in 2019-‘20. Jockey Flavien Prat is off to a fast start to the current Spa meeting. Sire Quality Road was runner-up as the favorite to Blame in the 2010 Whitney, but also a 2-time Saratoga stakes winner.
#4-WARRIOR JOHNY: Longshot allowance winner July 11 at Saratoga was part of the pace in last year’s Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup before fading. Tyler Gaffalione takes over the Phil Bauer trainee after Joel Rosario departed for Disarm.
#5-FIRST MISSION: Grade 2 Alysheba winner has finished out of the money in both Grade 1 bids to date, including a pace-setting fourth in the Stephen Foster most recently. Sire Street Sense scored one of his career-defining victories at Saratoga in the 2007 Travers. Jockey Florent Geroux won the 2017 Whitney aboard Gun Runner, while trainer Brad Cox secured this race in 2021 with Knicks Go.
#6-IL MIRACOLO: Son of 2017 Whitney champ Gun Runner is a multiple Grade 3 winner and third in last year’s Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby. His only Spa appearance netted a runner-up in the 2023 Curlin Stakes for Gulfstream Park-based trainer Antonio Sano. Manny Franco takes the mount as John Velazquez changes saddles to Charge It.
#7-CRUPI: Local Grade 2 Suburban winner was third earlier this year to Whitney rival National Treasure. Trainer Todd Pletcher’s 4 wins in the Whitney include Life is Good most recently in 2022. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. is a 4-time Whitney winner, including 2 straight and 3 of the last 4. A fifth win would tie the record shared by Jerry Bailey and Pat Day. Sire Curlin won his only Saratoga appearance (2008 Woodward).
#8-TUMBARUMBA: Consistent miler makes his third attempt at the 1-1/8 miles distance following a trio of runner-up stakes finishes at Gulfstream and Churchill Downs. Trainer Brian Lynch gives the keys back to regular rider Luis Saez for this gelding who has had 9 strong efforts in his last 10 starts, but has never faced this level of competition, especially at the distance.
#9-BRIGHT FUTURE: Saratoga’s 2023 Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner (pictured above) returns to the site of his signature score. Won Monmouth’s Grade 3 Salvatore Mile in his only start of ’24, serving as a very functional prep for the rise in class and distance. Trainer Todd Pletcher’s 4 wins in the Whitney include Life is Good most recently in 2022. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano is 3-for-3 in the saddle of Bright Future. Sire Curlin won his only Saratoga appearance (2008 Woodward).
#10-SKIPPYLONGSTOCKING: $2.3 million earner seeks his first Grade 1 victory, going 0-6 at the top rung of the class ladder to date – albeit owns third-place finishes in the Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. April’s Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap victory may have been his best effort yet, now age 5. Son of 2016 Preakness winner Exaggerator, who won the ’15 Saratoga Special during his freshman season. Jose Ortiz rides for Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
#11-ARTHUR’S NOTE: Least experienced runner in this field makes his stakes debut in his seventh lifetime start. Comes in hot off a 12-3/4 length Saratoga allowance victory in a blistering 2:00-4/5 for 1-1/4 miles during the Belmont Stakes Festival. Dornoch’s time in the final jewel of the Triple Crown a day later was about 4 lengths slower. Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott brought Arthur’s Note back in March off a 13-month layoff and he’s won 2 of 3 (tanking on a wet track; he might need it fast). Junior Alvarado won the Whitney 10 years ago aboard Moreno.
#12-CHARGE IT: A winner in just 1 of his last 9 stakes bids (the ’23 Suburban at Belmont), he’s drawn tough on the stretch-out from a pair of 1-turn miles this year. Fourth, beaten 10 lengths, in last year’s Whitney. Trainer Todd Pletcher’s 4 wins in the Whitney include Life is Good most recently in 2022. Jockey John Velazquez is a 4-time Whitney winner, most recently with Cross Traffic in 2013. A fifth win would tie the record shared by Jerry Bailey and Pat Day.
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