It’s not often you get two stable stars reappearing on the same weekend, but that’s exactly what BSW/Crow clients will get this weekend.
Reigning Champion Female Turf Horse Uni will make her six year old debut this Saturday in the G1 Just a Game at Belmont Park. When last seen, the daughter of More Than Ready blazed down the center of the Santa Anita turf course to take the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile for owners Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners, Robert LaPenta and Bethlehem Stables. Privately purchased in conjunction with Mandore Agency, Uni will be in search of her fourth Grade 1 victory.
At Churchill Downs, Midnight Bisou will be making her first start since an outstanding 2nd place finish in the $20,000,000 Saudi Cup in the G2 Fleur de Lis, closing from last to just miss by 3/4 of a length. Last year’s Champion Older Mare had a memorable campaign last year, taking down three Grade 1 wins before closing out her campaign with a tough luck 2nd place finish in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff for owners Bloom Racing, Madaket Stables and Allen Racing. The five year old mare will be taking on last year’s Kentucky Oaks winner, Serengeti Empress.
In Canada, private purchase Malakeh will make her North American graded stakes debut in the G2 Nassau at Woodbine. Placed in a G2 in Europe, Malakeh has three of her five US starts including an allowance last out at Churchill Downs for owners Heider Family Stables, Madaket Stables and Michael Kisber.
Speaking of Heider Family Stables, they will be represented across the globe on Saturday with BSW/Crow private purchases Malakeh, in addition to Zofelle, who will be representing the stable in the G1 Just a Game at Belmont, but also homebred Crossfirehurricane who will be taking his place in the G1 Irish Derby on Saturday at the Curragh. The US-bred son of Kitten’s Joy is undefeated in four starts and is currently a 6-1 chance in the Classic race.
Public auction purchase Royal Charlotte will represent owner First Row Partners in the G3 Vagrancy at Belmont Park. Picked up at Keeneland September in 2017, the four year old daughter of Cairo Prince is a multiple graded stakes winner with victories in the G2 Prioress at Saratoga and the G3 Victory Ride at Belmont.
Crystal Cliffs makes her graded stakes debut at Churchill on Saturday in the G3 Regret after an easy course and distance allowance victory last month for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Wonder Stables. Purchased in conjunction with Mandore Agency, the three year old daughter of Canford Cliffs is the morning line 3-1 favorite.
Kicking off the stakes action on Saturday will be Hulen, who arrives at the G3 Bashford Manor for owners Bill & Corinne Heiligbrodt, Madaket Stables and Spendthrift Farm on the back of a debut victory at Churchill Downs.