Summer in Saratoga gets it done in the nation’s heartland

Hard Spun mare scores second career Stakes win at Indiana Grand

Summer in Saratoga, the well-traveled Hard Spun mare, made her eighth appearance at a different track on July 7th at Indiana Grand, and sprang a mild upset to win her second career Stakes in the Indiana General Assembly Distaff, and her fifth victory in her last eight attempts on the turf. She is one of 86 worldwide Stakes winners for her sire.

In the Distaff, Summer in Saratoga broker alertly but settled in towards the back of the pack as the field entered the first turn. She kept that same position through six furlongs but then jockey Corey Lanerie asked for more and the five-year-old responded well as the field set sail for home. She passed all but one in the stretch and was pulling away as the field hit the finish line.

Bred by My Meadowview LLC in Kentucky, Summer in Saratoga is out of G1 Vanity Handicap winner Love Theway Youare who was also placed second on the G1 Santa Margarita Invitational. Love Theway Youare is out of Listed winner and G3-placed Diversa who also is the dam of Stakes-placed Dirty Swagg. Interestingly, this is also the family of G1 winner Gretzky the Great (by Nyquist), multiple G2 winner Tower of Texas (by Street Sense) and G2 winner Street Sounds, by deceased Darley stallion Street Cry.

In addition to Summer in Saratoga, Hard Spun is represented by other 2021 Stakes winners Silver State, winner of the G1 Metropolitan Handicap on June 5, Antoinette (G3 The Very One Stakes), and Caddo River (Listed Smarty Jones Stakes). He currently ranks among the top 10 sires of 2021 by progeny earnings.