Martin S. Schwartz eyeing Lake George Stakes with Samitar
Owner Martin S. Schwartz has set sights on the Grade 2, Lake George Stakes, to be held at Saratoga on Wednesday, July 25th. He finds Samitar as the best possible runner, who can take him to the top in the $200,000 event for 3-year-old fillies
on 1 1/16 miles turf.
Since buying the Norman Court Stud-bred filly, Schwartz has run her four times under the care of Mick Channon. She was terrible in her opening two starts this season.
After finishing eighth in the £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint at Newmarket, the filly could not get her act together and as a result, finished ninth in the Grade 1 Poule D'Essai Des Pouliches for 3-year-old fillies at Longchamp.
Schwartz’s investment paid big dividends, when the daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar ensured a comprehensive win at Curragh in May. The Group 1 Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas saw her producing a shocking result, as she clinched the top spot by one and a
half lengths.
The bay filly failed to carry forward her good work, when finishing fourth behind Fallen For You in the Group 1, Coronation Stakes (British Champions Series) at Royal Ascot last month. The owner is still very excited over his filly’s prospects this season,
adding that England’s poor weather was a huge issue for Samitar, who likes hard surface.
“I’m very excited. We tried to buy her last fall, and they turned down our offer. I bought her in April. They had such horrendous weather in England--it’s been raining for six months there --and she prefers firmer ground,” Schwartz said.
Samitar will face eight dangerous runners in the imminent competition, including the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Filly Turf winner, Stephanie's Kitten, who has been out of action since winning the Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs in May. Trainer Wayne
Catalano termed the Lake George Stakes as the main objective, adding that the filly is ready for the big event.
“The Lake George was our plan. We were going to go to Ascot (in England) and the plans changed and we ended up pointing to this. It’s her main goal, and she’s doing very well this year,” stated Catalano.
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