BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Like American general Benedict Arnold, who along with his army defeated the British in the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, several Florida-breds have invaded upstate New York this summer and come away victorious.

As of Sunday, Aug. 18, Florida-bred runners have accounted for 15 wins at The Spa, five of which have come in stakes, three graded. And like the American soldiers three centuries ago, Florida-breds have been decisive in the defeat of their adversaries. Four have won as the post-time favorite and the average winning margin has been nearly three-and-a-half lengths. More than half of the winners are by current or former Florida stallions.

Trainer Bill Mott has led the Florida invasion of Saratoga this summer with four of the 15 winners, the most prominent being Arthur’s Ride. The Helen and Joseph  Barbazon and Tapit syndicate-bred gave the Hall of Fame conditioner his first victory in the Grade 1 Whitney on Aug 3 with a dazzling 12 ¾-length thrashing of his rivals while leading from start to finish.

Arthur’s Ride produced a 110 Beyer Speed Figure in capturing the Whitney, covering nine furlongs in 1:48.54.

The triple digit Beyer number ranks second among North American runners this year at farther than a mile according to Daily Racing Form, behind only the 111 Beyer achieved by—yes that’s right—Arthur’s Ride at Saratoga on June 7.

While this was the first victory in the Whitney for Mott, Arthur’s Ride became the eighth Florida-bred winner of the notable event, joining Sultry Song (1992), Island Whirl (1983), Nearly On Time (1977), Dancing Gun (1976), Tri Jet (1974), Dr. Fager (1968) and Carry Back (1962) as winners of the notable event.

Mott also saddled Florida-bred Baby Yoda to victory in the Grade 2 True North on June 8 and won an allowance race on Aug. 17 with Florida-bred Nick’s Style.

Baby Yoda added to the recent success by Florida-breds in the True North, joining Floridian winners Imperial Hint in 2018 and Firenze Fire in 2020-’21. Florida-breds Benny the Bull (2008), Shake You Down (2003), Gold Beauty (1993) and Moleolus (1979) also won the True North.

Miller Racing’s Spirit Wind won her second consecutive stakes on July 24 with a three-quarter-length victory in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga. Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., Spirit Wind was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who had traveled from his base in Southern California to ride the Jacks or Better-bred mare.

The Honorable Miss is another Saratoga contest with a long list of Florida-bred winners including R Free Roll in 2014, C C’s Pal (2012), Debby d’Or (2000), Nanneri (1993) and Funistrado (1987).

Trainer Jena Antonucci, a resident of Ocala where she and business partner Katie Miranda have their horseOlogy operation based at GoldMark Farm, fired the first shot of the Sunshine State invasion on June 6 with Florida-bred Whatintheliteral. The 2-year-old filly bred by Bella Inizio Farm LLC, was impressive with a determined effort in her stakes debut, winning the $150,000 Astoria by a head after a stretch-long battle.

It was the second Florida-bred winner of the Astoria in three years after John C. Oxley’s Devious Dame won the 2022 edition.

On Aug. 10, Rigney Racing’s Halina’s Forte captured the $139,500 Galway for 3-year-old fillies going five-and-a-half furlongs. The Galway was the second added-money victory in New York for Halina’s Forte after she won the $100,000 Ruthless at Aqueduct in February. Bred in Florida by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck, Halina’s Forte put a Florida-bred bookend on the six-year history of the Galway as Florida-bred Eyeinthesky won inaugural running in 2019.

But unlike the Battle of Saratoga during the revolutionary war, Florida breeders and horsemen are grateful for the continued opportunities to compete in one of North America’s most prestigious arenas against some the world’s best Thoroughbreds.

And as long as there is a Saratoga Race Course, Florida-breds will keep rolling along.

Huzzah!