Starstruck Counting Stars was simply in a different stratosphere on Saturday at Saratoga, soaring to a 4 ¼-length victory in the $500,000 American Oaks (G1). The 3-year-old daughter of Honor A. P.–Paynterbynumbers led throughout the 1 1/8-mile main track test before pulling away late to lock down her second straight Grade 1 score (Acorn Stakes on June 5, also at Saratoga). Trained by Mark Casse for owner West Point Thoroughbreds, Counting Stars has now earned north of $1.6 million from 10 lifetime starts (6-1-1). As the American Oaks’ even-money choice, she paid $4.08. Strong Foundation Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Built confidently captured Saturday’s $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2) at Saratoga to earn his first career graded stakes tally. Paired with jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., who tied the single-day Saratoga riding record with six wins, Built took command at the half and never looked back en route to an assertive 2 ½-length decision. The 4-year-old Hard Spun colt improved to 6-2-3 with just shy of $700,000 banked across 14 starts under trainer Wayne Catalano’s tutelage. Sent off as the 6-5 choice, Built paid $4.40. Nothing Missing Florida-bred filly My Miss Mo had everything working on Saturday at Monmouth Park to take the $150,000 Monmouth Oaks (G3) in convincing fashion. Entering off a triumph in May’s Black-Eyed Susan (G2), the sophomore Uncle Mo bay exuded class yet again in a hearty 1 ½-length victory under rider Micah Husbands. Now standing at 3-3-0 across seven starts for owners Averill Racing, Mathis Stable, and Tristan De Meric, My Miss Mo has earned north of $418,000. Trained by Saffie Joseph, Jr., she paid $7.80 as the 5-2 second choice. Mine to Take It got tight at the end, but Listenupshance held on just long enough to come out on top in the $400,000 Bing Crosby (G1) on Saturday at Del Mar. A spirited late surge from 7-2 foe Maximum Bourbon made things interesting, although it wasn’t enough to usurp Listenupshance, who dug in to reach the wire a nose clear. The 4-year-old Doug O’Neill charge’s first win from five starts this season was also his first at the stakes tier, graded or otherwise. Owned by Great Friends Stables and Run Fast Racing, Listenupshance has collected over $438,000 in purse earnings through 13 career starts (4-3-3). At 5-1, he paid $13.80. Up to the Task Harry Papaleo homebred Maida successfully fended off the hard-charging duo of Haulin Ice and Grand Job to emerge victorious in Sunday’s $250,000 Honorable Miss (G2) at Saratoga. After opening her age four season with an Alma North Stakes tally on June 27, the bay daughter of Improbable–Eve Giselle elevated her game once more to remain unbeaten through two starts this season. Trained by Brittany Russell and ridden by Sheldon Russell, Maida is now four-for-six with over $335,000 on her scorecard from six lifetime starts. As the Honorable Miss’ 6-1 third choice, she paid $15.64. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Share This:Share
