Small Bear looking for big turf return in Better Talk Now
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Small Bear returns to the turf in Monday’s $100,000 Better Talk Now Stakes for 3-year-olds at one mile.
He is a new member of trainer Jeremiah Englehart’s stable, having received the gelding earlier this summer from Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells’s August Dawn Farm.
Small Bear, a consistent son of champion Macho Uno, exits a good second in the Curlin Stakes on July 28 on the main track.
His lone turf effort came when third in the Paradise Creek Stakes at Belmont Park on May 27.
“There really wasn’t a race I had in mind for him back on the dirt, timing wise up here,” said Englehart in a press release. “I know he has had a race over the turf before and I thought a race a little further going two turns would be okay for him, and get an idea of how he would handle the turf. I think he will be fine over it.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. is named on Small Bear in the Better Talk Now.
Blind Ambition, unbeaten in two turf starts including the Quick Call Stakes here on Aug. 9, is one of the favorites in this well-matched field.
Always forwardly placed, he rallied in the lane to win the Quick Call at 5 ½ furlongs and looks like he will appreciate the added distance of the Better Talk Now.
Snap Decision was last seen finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes on Aug. 4.
In his previous outing he won an upper level optional claiming event at Belmont going 1 1/16 miles on turf, in which he defeated Hieroglyphics by a length and a half.
Hieroglyphics came out
of that race, on July 3, to win an $85,000 allowance at Saratoga going one mile on July 29.
Holiday Stone has probably kept better company than any member of this field, having raced in three consecutive graded events earlier this year.
His best was a second in the Grade 3 Transylvania at Keeneland on Apr. 7.
Although winless in six outings this year, he was a close fourth in his last start, the Manila at Belmont Park on July 4, won by Bricks and Mortar.
Bricks and Mortar came out of that race to win the Hall of Fame Stakes.
Adonis Creed and Aquamarine complete the Better Talk Now field.
Adonis Creed comes out of a third in the Grade 3 Kent at Delaware Park on July 15, while Aquamarine is entered for main track only.
The Better Talk Now is named for the winner of the Sword Dancer at Saratoga and the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Lone Star in 2004.