Racing Dudes Three Stars of the Week: Wow, Wow, Wow!

The hype surrounding Saturday’s card at Saratoga was met and then some, with “wow” performances coming from start to finish. And yet, no matter how exciting the rest of the day was, at the end of it all, there’s no doubting who made our top pick. Here’s our latest Three Stars of the Week:

1. Tiz the Law

What can be said about this superstar, except – wow. The nation’s undisputed best 3-year-old continued his torrid season with yet another lights-out effort in the Travers Stakes (G1) against the toughest field that he’s faced all year. Despite his effortless Belmont Stakes (G1) victory, Tiz the Law was faced with a massive hurdle – handling 1 1/4 miles for the first time. Well, after what he did to the highly-regarded Uncle Chuck and the rest of the field, consider that hurdle cleared. The New York-bred colt will quite possibly be one of the shortest-priced favorites in Kentucky Derby (G1) history.

2. Gamine

If not for the race that immediately followed, this was the clear-cut top star of the weekend. Some questioned whether or not Gamine could back up her 18 3/4-length score in the Acorn Stakes (G1) last time out, but she quickly put the doubts to rest with an effort that was just as impressive visually, and yet came against a much more difficult field. The Bob Baffert trainee looks like the country’s second-best 3-year-old, regardless of gender, and will make her next start as a likely heavy favorite in the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

3. Serengeti Empress

The day’s stakes action kicked off with Serengeti Empress showing incredible heart to win the Ballerina Stakes (G1), a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” for the Filly & Mare Sprint. The speedy filly went straight to the front as expected, but she showed a new element when she rebuffed the early pressure and fought off the favored Bellafina (runner-up in last year’s Filly & Mare Sprint) in the stretch to win gate to wire. Trainer Tom Amoss said that she will likely make one more start before the World Championships in early November. That could possibly come in the Raven Run Stakes (G2), which will be held at Keeneland at the same 7-furlong distance as the Filly & Mare Sprint.