BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Uncle Kef, who last out was fifth in the Listed Victoria Stakes on the Woodbine all-weather main track, will make his first start on dirt Saturday in the $250,000 Saratoga Special (Grade 2) at Saratoga Race Course. Bred in Florida, owned and trained by Kevin Rice of Ocala, Uncle Kef is among six 2-year-olds who will go six-and-a-half furlongs.
A victory at this level outside Florida by Uncle Kef would earn Rice as breeder an additional $5,000 Export Incentive paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
In his first race, Uncle Kef impressively took a four-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight on synthetic at Presque Isle Downs in June, coming from just off the pace to win by two-and-a-half lengths. Since the Victoria, Uncle Kef posted a nice work on July 23 at Presque Isle, breezing five furlongs from the gate in :59.80, the fastest of seven at the distance that morning.
Uncle Kef is by Uncle Chuck out of the winning Florida-bred Factum mare Alexandra Kay and has earned $20,366 in his two races.
He is 12-1 on the morning line and Irad Ortiz Jr. will take him from post five.
The Steve Asmussen-trained Booked, a six-length winner of the Grade 3 Sanford at Saratoga in his last race, is the 7-5 morning line favorite.
Booked was second in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight in his debut in April then won a maiden special weight at Saratoga on June 7 before scoring in the Sanford.
Booked has $204,520 on his ledger from his three starts for Jackpot Farm, Alvin Fults, Jason Itkin and Michael D. Smith.
Ricardo Santana Jr. will ride Booked, a son of Yaupon, from post four.
Completing the field are How’s Al Today with Luis Saez taking the reins, Edgard Zayas will guide Rasasi, Twinkle Town has jockey Jose Ortiz and Flavien Prat will be aboard Flight Command.
Uncle Kef attempts to join a long list of Florida-bred winners of the Saratoga Special including Damon’s Mound in 2022, Spurious Precision (2012), D’Funnybone (2009), Prime Directive (1998), To Freedom (1990), Victorious (1982), Conquistador Cielo (1981), Well Decorated (1980), J. P. Brother (1979), Our Talisman (1974), Three Martinis (1970), Sadair (1964) and Bronzerullah (1960).
Return to the July 31 issue of Wire to Wire
