Saratoga Race 9

Johnstone S. Stakes

Stake: -

NAIVE MELODY (8) Gave them all something to chase to win by a margin of 3/4L last run at the track and securing a solid record thus far. Competing in a higher grade. Suitably placed in this race. MUNNINGS EXPRESS (3) Looked good when 3rd last start at the track but competing at a higher grade. Been in the money 8 from 8 attempts this campaign. Worth strong consideration. LANDED (2) First up and outgunned at the finish when 2nd beaten by 2L first up last preparation at Keeneland. Drawn nicely. Coming back in trip. Testing ability against stronger contenders. Betting may be best guide to the chances and each way is the likely play. USHA (6) Gave away some ground when 7th last start at Churchill Downs. Should improve from the last run and facing weaker opposition. Jockey Flavien Prat rates highly. Capable of getting into the money.

Distance: 1408m
Track:
Weather: -
Surface: Dirt
Class: 3U, 3yo+, STAKES, STK, TB

Bam's Bliss Kiss (1) X331111116
Trainer: Jorge R. Abreu()
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
Weight: 57kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 42% / 63%

Unbeaten Jockey / Horse Combo

Distance Specialist

4 yo BBR Filly

Sire: Solomini

Dam: Kiska

Dam's Sire: Into Mischief

Stats

Career

19: 8-1-3

Distance

3: 2-0-0

Track

2: 0-0-1

1st Up

2: 0-0-2

2nd Up

1: 0-0-1

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

4th Up

1: 1-0-0

Turf

3: 0-0-1

Good

2: 2-0-0

Heavy

3: 1-0-0

Dirt

16: 8-1-2

Firm

14: 5-1-3

Jockey Stats

Horse

5: 5-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1609m

Comments

Was $6.50 and weakened to finish 6th last time at Laurel Park but drawn the rails. Will be pushing for a forward position early. Challenged by more formidable competitors. Not without a chance.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 6	27/6/26	Laurel Park	1308m	Stakes 96	3	Yedsit Hazlewood	56kg	FT		-	32.1L	2-3	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Maida 2. Grammy Girl 3. Benedetta
1st of 7	19/4/26	Aqueduct	1609m	4U	5	Jaime Rodriguez	55.5kg	FAST		-	8.25L	1-1-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Bam's Bliss Kiss 2. Sweet Brown Sugar 3. Midtown Lights
1st of 8	28/3/26	Aqueduct	1207m	4U	2	Jaime Rodriguez	56kg	FIRM		-	7.75L	1-1	$1.57	-	$0	-	1. Bam's Bliss Kiss 2. Brzina 3. Despo's Dream
1st of 6	13/2/26	Aqueduct	1408m	Allowance Op	2	Jaime Rodriguez	56kg	FT		-	2L	1-1	$3.40	-	$0	-	1. Bam's Bliss Kiss 2. Romantic Dancer 3. Purr Factor
1st of 9	31/12/25	Aqueduct	1308m	Allowance Op	3	Jaime Rodriguez	54.5kg	FT		-	3L	1-1	$9.00	-	$0	-	1. Bam's Bliss Kiss 2. Munnings Express 3. Intentious
1st of 5	10/12/25	Aqueduct	1408m	Allowance Op	3	Jaime Rodriguez	54.5kg	FT		-	0.5L	1-1	$12	-	$0	-	1. Bam's Bliss Kiss 2. Kay Cup 3. Lika Rolling Stone

Landed (2) X13X4X3X26
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward()
Jockey: John R. Velazquez
Weight: 57kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 38% / 84%

Unbeaten the Distance

5 yo Bay Mare

Sire: Omaha Beach

Dam: Glory Gold

Dam's Sire: Medaglia D'Oro

Stats

Career

13: 5-2-4

Distance

2: 2-0-0

Trk/Dst

1: 1-0-0

Track

3: 2-0-0

1st Up

5: 1-1-2

2nd Up

2: 0-0-1

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Heavy

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

12: 5-2-4

Firm

12: 4-2-4

Jockey Stats

Horse

8: 3-1-2

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1811m

Comments

First up and was outmatched at the end of the race when 2nd beaten by 2L first up last preparation at Keeneland. Gets a favourable alley. Respect the betting.

Expected Settling Position:

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
6th of 7	3/6/26	Saratoga	1811m	Stakes 90	3	John R Velazquez	57kg	FT		-	21.5L	2-2-2	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Bernietakescharge 2. Valtellina 3. Walk With Me
2nd of 6	12/4/26	Keeneland	1811m	Allowance Op	2	John R Velazquez	53.5kg	FT		-	2L	1-1-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Take Charge Omaha 2. Landed 3. Foreseen
3rd of 7	28/12/25	Aqueduct	1609m	Stakes 92	2	Sahin Civaci	56.5kg	FT		-	3L	2-1-1	$2.80	-	$0	-	1. Bernietakescharge 2. Cupid's Heart 3. Landed
4th of 9	4/9/25	Kentucky Downs	1609m	Allowance Op	6	John R Velazquez	55.5kg	FM		-	3.5L	1-1-1	$5.50	-	$0	-	1. Mo Fox Givin 2. Ramsey Pond 3. Malleymoo
3rd of 7	23/4/25	Keeneland	1710m	Allowance Op	6	Frankie Pennington	53.5kg	FT		-	1.1L	2-2-2	$3.40	-	$0	-	1. Cat's Cave 2. Chilled 3. Landed
1st of 6	23/2/25	Aqueduct	1408m	Stakes 97	1	Frankie Pennington	56kg	FT		-	1L	1-1	$4.80	-	$0	-	1. Landed 2. Sweet Brown Sugar 3. Speightful Lily

Munnings Express (3) 2X12211133
Trainer: Linda Rice()
Jockey: Manuel Franco
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 45% / 100%

4 yo Bay Filly

Sire: Munnings

Dam: Freudie Anne

Dam's Sire: Freud

Stats

Career

11: 5-3-3

Distance

2: 1-0-1

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-1

Track

2: 0-1-1

1st Up

2: 1-0-1

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

Turf

1: 0-0-1

Good

2: 1-0-1

Heavy

1: 0-1-0

Dirt

10: 5-3-2

Firm

8: 4-2-2

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1408m

Comments

Tidy run when 3rd last start at the track but stepping up to a higher level. Recent form of Linda Rice is strong. Good enough chance at a very tempting price.

Expected Settling Position:

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
3rd of 8	23/7/26	Saratoga	1408m	Allowance Op	1	Jose Lezcano	56kg	FT		-	5L	3-4	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Beauty Reigns 2. Senza Parole 3. Munnings Express
3rd of 6	25/6/26	Aqueduct	1207m	Allowance Op	6	Jose Lezcano	56kg	FM		-	1.3L	1-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Leslie's Humor 2. Les Reys 3. Munnings Express
1st of 5	8/5/26	Aqueduct	1408m	4U	4	Jose Lezcano	56kg	FIRM		-	3.75L	1-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Munnings Express 2. Atarah 3. Limes Don't Lie
1st of 6	4/4/26	Aqueduct	1207m	3U	6	Jose Lezcano	57kg	FAST		-	5.75L	3-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Munnings Express 2. Intentious 3. Kadena
1st of 5	15/3/26	Aqueduct	1308m	Allowance Op	2	Jose Lezcano	56kg	FT		-	5L	1-2	$1.65	-	$0	-	1. Munnings Express 2. Mommasgottagun 3. Soloshot
2nd of 7	21/2/26	Aqueduct	1207m	Allowance Op	3	Jose Lezcano	56kg	MY		-	2.8L	1-2	$2.30	-	$0	-	1. Intentious 2. Munnings Express 3. Soloshot

Sunday Girl (4) 173464X2X7
Trainer: David P. Duggan()
Jockey: Katie Davis
Weight: 57kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 43% / 62%

Jockey / Horse Combo

5 yo Chestnut Mare

Sire: Central Banker

Dam: Lady Daphne

Dam's Sire: Harlan's Holiday

Stats

Career

16: 7-2-1

Distance

3: 0-1-0

Trk/Dst

1: 0-0-0

Track

3: 1-0-0

1st Up

5: 2-2-0

2nd Up

2: 1-0-0

3rd Up

1: 1-0-0

Turf

4: 2-0-0

Good

2: 0-1-0

Heavy

2: 0-1-0

Synthetic

1: 0-0-0

Dirt

12: 5-2-1

Firm

11: 7-0-1

Jockey Stats

Horse

13: 6-2-1

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m

Comments

Started $7.50 and didn't threaten when 7th last run at Aqueduct and up in class. Likely to get back. Looking elsewhere today.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 7	28/6/26	Aqueduct	1207m	Stakes 94	7	Katie Davis	57kg	FM		-	12.1L	4-4	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Highway Harmony 2. Sweet Brown Sugar 3. Soloshot
2nd of 4	1/3/26	Aqueduct	1207m	4U	6	Katie Davis	56kg	GOOD		-	4.5L	2-1	$4.80	-	$0	-	1. With The Angels 2. Sunday Girl 3. Lucille Ball
4th of 7	7/12/25	Aqueduct	1207m	Stakes 100	4	Sahin Civaci	55.5kg	FT		-	6.8L	6-4	$11	-	$0	-	1. Hold Your Breath 2. With The Angels 3. Patricia Ann
6th of 7	22/11/25	Aqueduct	1408m	Stakes 89	7	Flavien Prat	56kg	SY		-	4.6L	3-3	$1.36	-	$0	-	1. Khali Magic 2. Soloshot 3. Intentious
4th of 9	25/10/25	Aqueduct	1308m	Stakes 101	7	Katie Davis	56.5kg	FT		-	2.6L	2-1	$8.00	-	$0	-	1. Sterling Silver 2. Stonewall Star 3. My Mane Squeeze
3rd of 4	27/9/25	Delaware Park	1207m	Stakes 98	2	Katie Davis	56.5kg	FT		-	5.3L	3-3	$3.20	-	$0	-	1. Striker Has Dial 2. Alani 3. Sunday Girl

With The Angels (5) 11X1221144
Trainer: Linda Rice()
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
Weight: 57kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 63% / 81%

4 yo BBR Filly

Sire: Omaha Beach

Dam: Sister Margaret

Dam's Sire: Pulpit

Stats

Career

11: 7-2-0

Distance

1: 1-0-0

Track

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

2: 2-0-0

2nd Up

1: 0-1-0

3rd Up

1: 0-1-0

Turf

1: 0-0-0

Good

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

10: 7-2-0

Firm

10: 6-2-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1308m

Comments

Jumped at $5.50 and ran 4th last start at Aqueduct and competing at a higher level of competition. Stable is in form. Finishes off strongly. Watching with interest.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
4th of 7	28/6/26	Aqueduct	1207m	Stakes 94	4	Jose Lezcano	57kg	FM		-	5.9L	3-3	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Highway Harmony 2. Sweet Brown Sugar 3. Soloshot
4th of 6	3/5/26	Aqueduct	1308m	Stakes 97	3	Jose Lezcano	55.5kg	FT		-	2.5L	3-4	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Grammy Girl 2. Mystic Lake 3. Praying
1st of 4	1/3/26	Aqueduct	1207m	4U	7	Jose Lezcano	55kg	GOOD		-	4.5L	3-3	$1.65	-	$0	-	1. With The Angels 2. Sunday Girl 3. Lucille Ball
1st of 9	22/1/26	Aqueduct	1308m	Allowance Op	5	Jose Lezcano	56kg	FT		-	3.5L	3-3	$1.67	-	$0	-	1. With The Angels 2. Twirling Beauty 3. My Magic Wand
2nd of 7	7/12/25	Aqueduct	1207m	Stakes 100	5	Flavien Prat	53.5kg	FT		-	2L	2-2	$2.75	-	$0	-	1. Hold Your Breath 2. With The Angels 3. Patricia Ann
2nd of 5	28/11/25	Aqueduct	1308m	Allowance Op	5	Jose Lezcano	54.5kg	FT		-	1.3L	2-2	$1.24	-	$0	-	1. Roswell 2. With The Angels 3. Cupid's Heart

Usha (6) 2X1171X317
Trainer: Bob Baffert()
Jockey: Flavien Prat
Weight: 57kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 36% / 81%

4 yo Chestnut Filly

Sire: Tiz The Law

Dam: Animal Appeal

Dam's Sire: Leroidesanimaux

Stats

Career

11: 4-2-3

Distance

4: 1-0-1

1st Up

3: 1-1-1

2nd Up

2: 2-0-0

3rd Up

2: 0-0-0

Good

2: 2-0-0

Dirt

9: 2-2-3

Firm

9: 2-2-3

Jockey Stats

Horse

1: 0-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1408m

Comments

Started at $5.00 and looked outclassed when 7th last start at Churchill Downs. Should improve from the last run and will appreciate the drop in grade. Nice price for the value seekers.

Expected Settling Position: Leader

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
7th of 8	20/6/26	Churchill Downs	1408m	Stakes 110	5	Flavien Prat	54.5kg	FT		-	5.2L	2-2	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Eclatant 2. Foie Gras 3. Evanescence
1st of 7	25/5/26	Churchill Downs	1207m	Stakes 106	6	Florent Geroux	56kg	FT		-	0.1L	2-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Usha 2. Zeitlos 3. Foie Gras
3rd of 5	2/5/26	Churchill Downs	1408m	Stakes 105	1	Juan J Hernandez	56kg	FT		-	4L	3-4	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. R Disaster 2. Ways And Means 3. Usha
1st of 10	28/12/25	Santa Anita	1408m	Stakes 104	5	Juan J Hernandez	54.5kg	FT		-	5.3L	7-6	$5.50	-	$0	-	1. Usha 2. Formula Rossa 3. Simply Joking
7th of 10	18/10/25	Keeneland	1408m	Stakes 103	4	Irad Ortiz Jr	53.5kg	FT		-	10.9L	3-1	$4.20	-	$0	-	1. Kappa Kappa 2. Vodka With A Twist 3. Ragtime
1st of 8	5/9/25	Del Mar	1308m	3U	1	Juan J Hernandez	54kg	FAST		-	5.25L	-	$1.35	-	$0	-	1. Usha 2. Artisma 3. Shared Future

Iron Orchard (7) 1119X9
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen()
Jockey: Irad Ortiz, Jr.
Weight: 55.5kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 60% / 60%

Track Specialist

3 yo BBR Filly

Sire: Authentic

Dam: Onebrethatatime

Dam's Sire: Brethren

Stats

Career

5: 3-0-0

Track

3: 2-0-0

1st Up

2: 1-0-0

Dirt

4: 3-0-0

Firm

5: 3-0-0

Jockey Stats

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1308m

Comments

Odds of $8.00 and didn't attack the line when 9th last start at this track but solid career start. Likely to be well placed early. Matched against a stronger field. Can't have in this.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
9th of 10	10/7/26	Saratoga	1308m	Stakes 92	2	Joel Rosario	56kg	FT		-	12.6L	1-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Sippin Pretty 2. Goodall 3. A Fine Chardonnay
9th of 8	31/10/25	Del Mar	1710m	02	1	Joel Rosario	55.5kg	FIRM		-	43.35L	-	$11	-	$0	-	1. Super Corredora 2. Explora 3. Percy's Bar
1st of 10	4/10/25	Aqueduct	1609m	Stakes 89	5	Joel Rosario	55.5kg	FT		-	0.1L	4-6-4	$3.30	-	$0	-	1. Iron Orchard 2. Rileytole 3. Five Bars
1st of 6	22/8/25	Saratoga	1207m	02	3	Joel Rosario	55.5kg	FIRM		-	6.75L	1-1	$1.50	-	$0	-	1. Iron Orchard 2. Oriole Way 3. Grazie
1st of 9	3/7/25	Saratoga	1106m	MDN Special	2	Joel Rosario	54kg	FT		-	5.5L	1-1	$1.55	-	$0	-	1. Iron Orchard 2. Birch Run 3. Dolce Vino

Naive Melody (8) 131X11
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward()
Jockey: Dylan Davis
Weight: 56kg
Prize Money: $0
Win / Place: 80% / 100%

Unbeaten Jockey / Horse Combo

Going for the Hat-Trick

4 yo BBR Filly

Sire: Complexity

Dam: Goods And Services

Dam's Sire: Paynter

Stats

Career

5: 4-0-1

Distance

1: 0-0-1

Track

1: 1-0-0

1st Up

2: 2-0-0

2nd Up

1: 1-0-0

Good

2: 2-0-0

Synthetic

1: 1-0-0

Dirt

5: 4-0-1

Firm

2: 1-0-1

Jockey Stats

Horse

2: 2-0-0

Trainer

W 0% P 0%

Distance

W 0% P 0%

Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Track

W 0% P 0%

Trainer/Distance

W 0% P 0%

Distance Range Last 6 months

1207m - 1308m

Comments

Made all to win by a margin of 3/4L last run around here and having a top-notch record so far. Strong form this preparation winning 2 from as many attempts. Good chance and definitely has claims.

Expected Settling Position: Backmarker

Last Starts days since last start

Place	Date	Track	Distance	Class	Barrier	Jockey	Weight	Cond.	Race Time	Avg. Speed	Margin	800/400	SP	Days	Prize	Prize Won	Result
1st of 5	6/6/26	Saratoga	1308m	Allowance Op	2	Dylan Davis	57kg	FT		-	0.8L	1-1	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Naive Melody 2. Speightful Lily 3. Helen's Revenge
1st of 7	12/4/26	Aqueduct	1207m	3U	3	Dylan Davis	57kg	FAST		-	2.25L	2-2	$0.00	-	$0	-	1. Naive Melody 2. Majestic Return 3. Nina Kay
1st of 6	25/4/25	Aqueduct	1207m	03	5	Irving Moncada	49kg	FAST		-	5.75L	1-1	$3.50	-	$0	-	1. Naive Melody 2. Vekinda 3. Three B's
3rd of 5	8/2/25	Aqueduct	1408m	Stakes 88	1	Kendrick Carmouche	53.5kg	FT		-	2.8L	1-1	$2.10	-	$0	-	1. Bernieandtherose 2. Storm Changer 3. Naive Melody
1st of 11	28/12/24	Aqueduct	1207m	MDN Special	11	John R Velazquez	54kg	SY		-	0.8L	1-1	$2.10	-	$0	-	1. Naive Melody 2. Forever To Go 3. Miss American Pie

Race Review Abbreviations

3WNC: Three wide no cover, Awk: Awkwardly away, Bk: Back, Blkd: Blocked, Btld: Battled, Chal: Challenged, Chkd: Checked, Cvr: Cover, Fdd: Faded, Fght: Fought, Fin: Finish, Hdd: Headed, Hld up: Held up, Hmprd: Hampered, Hndy: Handy, Kikd: Kicked, Kn: Keen, Ld: Led/Lead, Midf: Midfield, Mod pc: Moderate pace, Otf: On the Fence, ROS: Ran on strongly, Slow: Slow away, Snagd: Snagged, Stld: Settled, Tn: Turn, Trld: Trailed, Under pres: Under pressure, Under rd: Under riding, Urgd: Urged, Wd: Wide, Wdr: Wider, Weavd: Weaved, Wknd: Weakened, Wrkd: Worked