BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Halina’s Forte hooked up in deep stretch with frontrunner Baraye before putting a head in front at the wire to win the $150,000 Galway at Saratoga Race Course Saturday. Entered under “main track only” conditions, Florida-bred Halina’s Forte defeated three other 3-year-old fillies in the Galway, which was taken off the turf and run at five-and-a-half furlongs on the main track.
Baraye and jockey Tyler Gaffalione took the short field decimated by nine scratches through a :22.01 first quarter with Golden Degree off her inside hip in second. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. kept Halina’s Forte just behind them in third on the outside.
Baraye hit the top of the stretch two lengths in front of Halina’s Forte and Value Plus in a joint second as Golden Degree dropped back. Baraye was still a length in front with a furlong to run when Ortiz dropped Halina’s Forte to the inside and joined Baraye in a battle to the finish. Baraye remained tenacious until the final jump when Halina’s Forte surged to the front to finish in 1:04.24 on the fast track. Baraye was second with Value Area another half-length back in third. Golden Degree was fourth.
Greavette, Pipsy (Ire), Ever So Sweet (Ire), Star of Mystery (GB), El Terreno, Kairyu (Ire), Amidst Waves, Sunday Girl and She’s Alway’s Rosie were scratched.
Trained by Philip Bauer for Rigney Racing LLC, Halina’s Forte paid $3.20 to win.
It was the second career stakes victory for Halina’s Forte after winning the $100,000 Ruthless over a good seven furlongs at Aqueduct in February. She most recently was third behind winner Emery in the Grade 3 Victory Ride going six-and-a-half furlongs during the Belmont at Big A meet on July 4 after winning a second level, $125,000 optional claiming at Churchill Downs on May 31. In two other starts this year, Halina’s Forte was off the board in the Grade 1 Ashland won by Leslie’s Rose at Keeneland on April 5 and fourth in My Mane Squeeze’s Eight Belles at Churchill on May 3.
Halina’s Forte has now won four of nine career starts with two seconds and a third. The $82,500 first place check increase her earnings to $331,870.
Originally sold for $130,000 to Woodford Thoroughbreds as a yearling at the 2022 Ocala Breeders’ Sale Winter Mixed Sale out of the Summerfield consignment of Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck. Six months later she sold for $250,000 to Chenowith Run Stables at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale.
Halina’s Forte is by Mitole out of Lunarlady, by Yes It’s True and was bred in Florida by Bill and Corinne Heilegbrodt and the Vanlangendoncks. The Vanlangendoncks purchased Lunarlady in foal to Commissioner for $7,000 in the name of their Summerfield at the 2017 Keeneland Horses of All Ages Sale. Lunarlady has four winners from six starts and Halina’s Forte is her only stakes winner. Lunarlady was bred to Mitole in 2024.
