GLENS FALLS STAKES Santa Monica a solid choice in Glens Falls
By Jeff Scott SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » The British-bred Santa Monica – the morningline choice at 6-5 in today’s $250,000 Glens Falls Stakes (G3) -- has gotten off to a strong start in North America, winning a pair of starts and finishing a close-up second in another since coming over from Ireland earlier this year. Most recently, the 5-year-old daughter of Mastercraftsman came from far back to claim the 1¼-mile Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. While Santa Monica has considerable turf experience around two turns, the Glens Falls will be her first try at 1 3/8 miles.
Onthemoonagain (3-1), like Santa Monica, a European import conditioned by Chad Brown, is running back off her initial North American start, in which she ran third in a 1 1/8-mile allowance. The 4-year-old Cape Cross filly was Group 2-placed in her native France, and has put together a solid series of works on the Oklahoma turf.
Homeland Security (9-2), Brown’s third charge in the Glens Falls field, was successful in her first stakes try on July 8, when she won the 1½-mile River Memories Stakes by a length. The daughter of Smart Strike has competed almost exclusively at 1¼ miles and beyond in her six starts.
Lady Montdore (8-1) comes into today’s race off a 4½-length score at the Glens Falls distance in an opening-level allowance here on Aug. 6. The 4-yearold Medaglia d’Oro filly was Group 3-placed in France at three.
Summersault (10-1) has been running almost exclusively at 1 3/8 miles and longer since winning the Grade 3 Orchid Stakes at 9-1 last year. She has won only once in 11 starts since but has been close in several races, including a third in the Grade 3 Waya last summer. The New York-bred daughter of Rock Hard Ten finished sixth in the 2017 Glens Falls.
Danceland (10-1), La Manta Gris (15-1) and Savannah Belle (20-1) round out the field of eight. Land Mine (1-1) is entered for the main track only. WISE OWL SAYS - Santa Monica: Looks primed and ready to go. Pace scenario doesn’t seem to be in her favor, but she might just be too good for this bunch anyway. I’ll also be playing Lady Montdore in exotics as she may be able to walk on the lead and hang around for some value underneath. SAM HOLLINGSWORTH SAYS - Santa Monica/ Brown entries: Another graded stakes race on the grass, and what should be another graded stake win for the Chad Brown barn. He’s got three runners going here, but it’s going to be tough to beat Santa Monica, fresh of her Woodbine win in June, which was followed by her being washed off the Saratoga turf this summer (along with Homeland Security and Summersault). Stablemates Onthemoonagain and Homeland Security could easily round out the trifecta — and with the way Brown’s horses are running, I’d almost expect it to be that way — but I’d also watch out for Dancetrack and Summersault, both of whom should offer some juicy odds.