SHOOTING UP THE CHARTS

COPPER BULLET LOOKS STRONG OFF MAIDEN VICTORY,

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Copper Bullet, a troubled-trip second in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs last month, heads a field of nine 2-year-olds entered in an intriguing renewal of Sunday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special at 6 1/2 furlongs.

The Saratoga Special drew a field of nine horses who have won maiden races at six different tracks.

Copper Bullet, a son of More Than Ready, won his maiden at Churchill Downs by eight lengths on May 25. In the sixfurlong Bashford Manor, he broke slowly, rushed up to take the lead after an opening quarter, was taken back by Florent Geroux around the turn, then steadied at the quarter pole. He finished second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Ten City while finishing 6 3/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher.

“It wasn’t the trip we were hoping for,” trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Asmussen said he wasn’t thrilled with how Copper Bullet trained over the Saratoga main track early in the meet when he was just galloping over it. Asmussen has seen a change in Copper Bullet now that he has had three breezes over the Oklahoma training track.

“When we first got here he did struggle with the surface,” said Asmussen. “With a few breezes and the time he has looked good recently.”

Copper Bullet will break from post 9 with Irad Ortiz Jr. in the irons.

Diamond Oops is the only two-time winner in the field, having won a maiden race at Gulfstream on June 1 and the Kiss a Native Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream on July 1. He is trained by Patrick Biancone, who won this race in 2005 with Henny Hughes and 2002 with Zavata.

“This would seem to tell us how good he is,” Biancone said. “He works very well in the morning. He’s in good form. We come in very humble and we hope to leave proud of him.”

Barry Lee was a sharp 6 1/2-length maiden winner at Laurel for trainer Horacio DePaz and owners Sagamore Farm and Stanley Hough. That race was at five furlongs. DePaz said he is looking forward to stretching him out in distance.

Mo Diddley overcame a troubled start to win his maiden going 4 1/2 furlongs at Churchill. He had to scratch out of the Bashford Manor after banging his leg in the days leading up to the race. He has trained exceptionally well at Saratoga.

Trainer Todd Pletcher sends out Bal Harbour and Tempestad. Completing the field are debut winners Hollywood Star, Vino, and Crea’s Bklyn Law.

KEY CONTENDERS

Copper Bullet, by More Than Ready Beyers: 78-75

◗ He was visually impressive winning a maiden race by eight lengths in his second start.

◗ The outside draw should give new rider Ortiz plenty of options

“I like this draw for him,” Asmussen said. “There’s plenty of run down the backside.”

Barry Lee, by Violence Beyer: 71

◗ Overcame the rail draw in a field of 10 to win his debut, a race that produced two next-out winners.

◗ Has worked sharply at Laurel since his maiden win.

“He shows a lot of class in the mornings and in the afternoon,” DePaz said.

Diamond Oops, by Lookin At Lucky Beyers: 80-73

◗ Biancone said this horse’s size suggests he should improve as the distances get longer.

“The surprise was to win going five-eighths with him,” Biancone said. “I was thinking he would need as much ground as we could get.”