Highland Falls leads Godolphin charge at Spa

Highland Falls returns to Saratoga for a star-studded renewal of the G1 Whitney Stakes, with Think Big and Ragtime also challenging for G1 honours on an outstanding Whitney Day card on Saturday.

Five-year-old Highland Falls was a decisive winner of the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on his only previous appearance at the New York course in September, a performance that earned him a spot in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Curlin homebred failed to land a blow at Del Mar in November, coming home ninth, and reopposes the first two from that race, Sierra Leone and Fierceness, plus the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner White Abarrio.

Highland Falls makes his second start of 2025 for Brad Cox, having easily captured an allowance optional claimer over a mile at Aqueduct in June.

Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: “Highland Falls has done nothing wrong since he came back from his winter break. He ran an impressive race in his comeback at a shorter distance than ideal and has worked very nicely since, pleasing Brad every week.

“The G1 Whitney is stacked with most of the best older horses in the country and, although there will possibly be a scratch or two, it will be a good test to see where he ranks in the older division. Hopefully, he can be very competitive and be in the mix. It will set him up nicely for an opportunity to defend his Jockey Club title at the end of August.”

Think Big remains at a mile for the G1 Fourstardave Stakes after flashing home to comfortably take the G3 Kelso Stakes over the course and distance in early July.

The Michael Stidham-trained four-year-old had previously built up an impressive profile as a sprinter, winning his first four starts on turf including this season’s G2 Shakertown Stakes and G2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint.

Think Big’s only defeat on turf to date came in the G1 Jaipur Stakes on the Belmont Stakes card at Saratoga in June, when unruly behaviour and a slow break cost him any chance.

Michael Banahan said: “Mike is very happy with Think Big and his preparation for the G1 Fourstardave. He won the local prep well and deserves to take his chance against the best turf miler in the US last year, Johannes.

“It’s a good opportunity to see where he stacks up against him and it will give us a clear path on the direction we need to go for the rest of the year. If he behaves, breaks well, and gets a good trip, he should prove a tough nut to crack.”

Unbeaten filly Ragtime makes her Graded Staked debut for Bill Mott in the seven-furlong G1 Test Stakes following two sparkling displays over the course and distance.

Following a dominant maiden win in June, the Union Rags homebred looked equally impressive when taking an allowance race the following month.

Michael Banahan added: “Ragtime has done nothing wrong in both of her wins and now gets a tough examination in the G1 Test against a very nice field of sprinters. Bill was very pleased with her breeze last Saturday and she is coming into the race in great shape.