Big Invasion Streaks Into Next Saratoga Challenge | 2022 Mahony Stakes Preview & FREE Picks

Jared previews the 2022 Mahony Stakes at Saratoga, then gives his top picks and longshots. Big Invasion brings a 5-race win streak into his next challenge; can anyone stop him? Tell us YOUR thoughts in the Comments section!

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The track press release:

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing’s Big Invasion brings a five-race win streak into Sunday’s $150,000 Mahony, a 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for sophomores, at Saratoga Race Course.

Trained by Christophe Clement, the lone blemish on the Declaration of War bay’s ledger is a runner-up debut effort sprinting five furlongs in January at Gulfstream Park. Since then, Big Invasion has reeled off five consecutive wins, including stakes scores in the Texas Glitter in March at Gulfstream, the William Walker on May 4 at Churchill Downs, the Paradise Creek on May 29 at Belmont and the Grade 3 Quick Call presented by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation last out on July 17 at the Spa.

Big Invasion stalked in fourth position in the Quick Call as returning rival Surprise Boss set sharp splits of 21.41 seconds and 43.83 over the firm going. Joel Rosario gave Big Invasion his cue through the turn and the talented bay rallied four-wide down the lane en route to a 2 3/4-length score in a final time of 1:00.80 for the 5 1/2-furlongs.

“He ran very well last time out and is doing well. He loves Saratoga,” Clement said. “The owners very much enjoy running him back here, so we’re running him back a little quick by going back this weekend, but why not.”

His owners have four wins at the meet heading into Thursday’s card, good for third in the Saratoga standings which are led by Klaravich Stables [8 wins] and Michael Dubb [6]. Among the four wins are stakes scores with the Clement-trained City Man in the Grade 3 Forbidden Apple and with Isolate in Wednesday’s Tale of the Cat, providing trainer Tom Amoss with his 4,000th career win.

Clement said Big Invasion is thriving with racing and training. The colt posted a bullet three-eighths breeze in 36.44 August 4 over the Oklahoma dirt training track.

“That came back very easy. He looked well and is a fast horse, so that’s the way he’s going to work,” Clement said. “Even if we try to do everything we can to slow him down in the morning, he’s still a fast horse. He looks good and is training well. I think the forecast is good which is even better for us. He’s a better horse today than from months ago. He’s more mature, he looks better and he’s carrying more weight. Running him once every 4-to-5 weeks makes him a better horse. He’s just getting more mature and stronger physically.”

Clement said it’s satisfying to have a sophomore runner performing so well for prominent owners.

“It’s a big deal. I think we’ll run in a few more races this year and put him away for the winter and come back as a 4-year-old and hopefully be a sprinter to talk about next year as well,” Clement said.

Bred in Kentucky by John O’Meara, the $72,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase will exit post 2 with Rosario up.

Reeves Thoroughbred Racing will also be represented by Sky and Sand [post 3, Jose Ortiz], who they co-own with Magnifico Stable. The Midshipman colt was fourth last out in the Quick Call for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

D.J. Stable’s Irish-bred Cadamosto will make his North American debut for trainer Joseph O’Brien.

The No Nay Never bay was initially campaigned by Joseph’s father, Aidan O’Brien, winning on debut over the Dundalk synthetic in April 2021 ahead of a close fourth in the Group 2 Norfolk at five furlongs in June 2021 at Royal Ascot. Cadamosto has made five starts this year for the elder O’Brien, including a fourth-place finish last out in the Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire on July 16 at the Curragh.

He breezed a bullet half-mile in 47.02 seconds Sunday over the Oklahoma training turf and will leave the inside post in rein to Tyler Gaffalione.

Magdalena Racing, Nader Alaali and Evan Trommer’s Editorial Comment will make his North American debut for trainer Kenny McPeek after winning 3-of-4 starts in his native Argentina for conditioner Marcelo Sebastian Sueldo.

The Il Campione bay is in the midst of a three-race win streak at the Hipodromo, including scores in the five-furlong Group 3 Guillermo Kemmis in February and the six-furlong Group 2 Santiago Luro last out on March 5.

“His form in Argentina is brilliant,” said McPeek assistant Jake McEntee. “He’s only been beaten the once and won a Group 2 last time out. This is his first start here and hopefully we can get him off to a good start.”

Editorial Comment, who adds blinkers, has breezed extensively over the Oklahoma dirt training track, including a bullet half-mile breeze in 48.25 on August 9.

“We’ve had a steady work schedule and his recent works here have been a lot better, so hopefully we’re starting to get to the bottom of him,” McEntee said. “He’s a big horse and a real powerful horse, so hopefully he’s going to run a nice race on Sunday.

“Physically and mentally, he’s a big, beautiful stamp of a horse and does everything right,” McEntee added. “So, he’s a nice horse for the future.”

Luis Saez will ride from post 4.

James A. Shannon, Jr.’s That’s Right enters on a three-race win streak for trainer Michael Moore, including a gate-to-wire romp last out in the 5 1/2-furlong My Frenchman on July 17 at Monmouth Park.

The Goldencents bay, whose three career scores have all come on the front end on turf, graduated in May at Pimlico Race Course in his grass debut and followed with a sharp allowance win in June at Monmouth.

Andy Hernandez, a perfect 3-for-3 aboard That’s Right, will look to keep the streak alive from post 5.

Rounding out the field are Determined Kingdom [post 7, Trevor McCarthy], who enters from a 5 1/2-length score in the restricted Punch Line on July 11 at Colonial Downs; and graded-stakes placed New York-bred Surprise Boss [post 6, Kendrick Carmouche].

The Mahony is slated as Race 9 on Sunday’s 10-race card. First post is 1:05 p.m. Eastern.