‘One Of The Targets': Clement Considers Ballston Spa For Ozara
Cheyenne Stable's Ozara captured the second of two divisions of Thursday's listed $135,000 De La Rose, a one-mile inner turf route restricted to older fillies and mares who have not won a graded stake in 2024-25, on opening day at Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Miguel Clement, the 4-year-old Lope de Vega bay saved ground in a stalking third position under Dylan Davis, rallying in the stretch to edge the game pacesetter Spinning Colors by a half-length in a final time of 1:34.25.
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The performance earned a career-best 90 Beyer Speed Figure, improving from consecutive 88s for a 1 1/2-length coup of Gulfstream Park's Monroe in April and a third-place effort in the Grade 3 Eatontown on June 14 at Monmouth Park.
'She came back in very good order,' said Clement. 'Dylan rode a brilliant race. He saved every inch of ground and closed at the right time in the stretch. That was game and gutsy. The track was still very speed favoring. The first three early all finished in the top three. Nevertheless, I thought the filly did everything right.'
Ozara's return to graded company could come in the 1 1/16-mile G2, $300,000 Ballston Spa on August 8 here.
'We have a few possibilities. Let's reassess and speak to Mr. Dobson of Cheyenne Stables. However, I'm delighted with the performance. She's gutsy, she tried very hard, and ran a great race,' Clement said. 'That [G2 Ballston Spa] is one of the targets. We are looking at it, correct.'
Clement also commented on how he thought 6-5 morning line favorite Far Bridge could handle possible cut in the ground in Saturday's local G2, $200,000 Bowling Green, an 11-furlong inner turf test for older horses.
'Far Bridge can handle any ground,' said Clement. 'He won the [G1] Joe Hirsch Turf Classic on bottomless turf from last. He won the [G1] Sword Dancer on the lead on very firm turf. He handles any ground. He is top-class. Don't worry about the ground with him because he handles anything.'
The versatile 5-year-old English Channel bay is campaigned by LSU Stables and has earned in excess of $2.2 million via a 17-8-3-3 record.
This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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