Infinite Wisdom tries to end barn’s drought in John’s Call

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Coming off a fabulous Belmont spring-summer meet, and with an array of talented runners in the barn, trainer Brian Lynch was optimistic he would have a successful season at Saratoga.

It has hardly worked out that way. Lynch enters the final two weeks of the meet still seeking his first victory here. He is 0 for 18, and his last two starters – Unchained Melody in the Grade 1 Alabama and Gemini in a maiden race – were eased.

“If it could go wrong, it has gone wrong,” Lynch said. “You just got to ride it out.”

Perhaps things will turn around for Lynch on Wednesday, when he sends out two runners on the card, including Infinite Wisdom in the $100,000 John’s Call Stakes at 1 5/8 miles over the Mellon turf course.

Infinite Wisdom was Lynch’s first starter of the meet, and he lost by a head to Muqtaser in a

high-class allowance race going 1 3/8 miles. Muqtaser came back to win another allowance race here Aug. 16.

Two starts back at Belmont Park, Infinite Wisdom finished second to Hello Don Julio, who came back to win an allowance race here last Saturday.

“He’s always acted like he can stay on,” Lynch said of Infinite Wisdom. “I always wanted the opportunity to try him this far.”

The John’s Call is named for the gelding who in 2000 won the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at age 9. He was trained by Tom Voss, whose daughter Elizabeth sends out two runners in this race, including Renown, third in this race last year.

Renown won the Secretariat Stakes going 1 1/2 miles at Great Meadow in Virginia to begin the year but has gone off form since. Voss said Renown has been dealing with back issues that have been addressed by chiropractic work.

“He’s been training great up here,” Voss said. “I’m hoping he’s going to rebound.”

Voss also entered Mr Singh, winless in three starts for her since coming to the United States. Voss said she is also considering a second-level allowance race for that gelding here on Sunday.

Red Rifle has lost 12 consecutive starts since winning the Grade 2 Bowling Green going 1 3/8 miles here in 2015. St. Louie, Montclair, and Nessy complete the field.

KEY CONTENDERS

Infinite Wisdom, by Smart Strike Last 3 Beyers: 94-94-80

◗ He could play out as the primary speed under Irad Ortiz Jr., who replaces Angel Arroyo. Lynch said Arroyo didn’t do anything wrong, “but it’s hard to leave Irad in the room when he’s open.”

◗ He is a half-brother to Center Divider, who was second in this race in 2011, two starts after winning a Keeneland allowance at 1 5/8 miles.

Renown, by Champs Elysees Last 3 Beyers: 85-72-NA

◗ Has won 7 of his 14 starts, including a trio of stakes at 1 1/2 miles.

◗ Has been hampered by back problems since a sixth-place finish as the favorite in the Cape Henlopen at Delaware Park.

◗ Gets a rider change to Julien Leparoux.

Nessy, by Flower Alley Last 3 Beyers: 86-93-91

◗ Finished sixth in a secondlevel allowance race here July 29.

“He walked out of the gate, broke a little slow,” trainer Ian Wilkes said. “That’s him – he’s his own worst enemy.”