6/4: Saratoga Steeplechase R1 Bev Steinman handicap

[Flatterer]

Summer steeplechase season kicks off with the Bev Steinman handicap at 2 ⅜ miles around 5 turns over 9 jumps. This is an extremely weak field with no flat track speed considering the highest lifetime turf Beyer of all runners is 76.

Leading trainer Jack Fisher with #2 Awakened and #5 Proven Innocent was fined $2000 after a sealed vial of Banamine was found in his truck during a surprise inspection at the Radnor (Malvern) race meet May 17, 2025. Banamine, an anti-inflammatory pain medication, can be administered by a licensed veterinarian, not a trainer. This incident creates a credibility crisis for trainer Fisher.

Father’s Day June 15 features 2 steeplechase races at Laurel then the schedule shifts to Saratoga and Colonial. Bill Gallo shared with Steve Byk today that Colonial will not take simulcast wagering on steeplechase this summer, just on track steeplechase wagers will be accepted.

For the Bev Steinman, #2 Awakened will be favorite as 154 pound highweight based on his success at Saratoga but is coming off a 1 year layoff and will need a race before running his best.

#1 Carloun pulled up before the last fence in a sanctioned race at Camden at the end of March but before that won a point to point race by 25 lengths on March 15 beating 10 rivals running the fastest time of the day by 6 seconds. Trainer Keri Brion will have the grade 1 winner just off the early pace ready to pounce.

#4 Evie’s Prince runs well on flat tracks and won the Walsh Novice at Saratoga last year. Evie’s Prince was making a strong move at Nashville but fell over the last fence. Jockey Bernie Dalton always gets a check when he travels from South Carolina to Saratoga, is an excellent judge of pace and will do everything he can to produce a strong finish.

#6 Little Trillby ran well at Camden beating #4 Evie’s Prince by 2 lengths and was within 5 lengths of Nashville winner China Beach but ran out of gas at Nashville leading until the last turn when he pulled up. Trainer Ricky Hendriks always sends his runners early and if no one goes early with him and if he can relax on the lead, he should hit the board. Distance is a concern but with only 9 hurdles, he should be there down the stretch.

Selection

A) 1 (fell) - 4 (2nd)

C) 6

Good luck at the races!