Lunch Specials at the Spa

Leonard Leveen will never forget what his trainer said to him a decade ago when he wanted sell one of his racing fillies.

"I only dabble in Thoroughbreds," said Leveen. "I raced a mare and when she retired, I wanted to sell her. But my trainer said I wouldn't get a ham sandwich for her."

Leveen took his trainer's statement literally and instead, bred his mare Dana's Wedding to the stallion Halissee and called the offspring Ham Sandwich.

Since then, Leveen has had some fun naming three more foals from Dana's Wedding. Ham Sandwich, who can now afford a full course meal and more with earnings of $89,340, has a 3-year-old half-brother by Husband named On Rye. The deli-style pair will make appearances at the Spa this week. Ham Sandwich is entered in the ninth race at Saratoga on Wednesday and On Rye is in the second race on Thursday. Both are trained by Scotty Schulhofer.

Leveen continued in the 'sandwich' theme with the as-yet unraced 2-year-old by Husband, With Mustard, and To Go, a yearling colt by Chilito.

Leveen wants to name the mare's 2001 filly foal by A.P. Jet, To Go Too but admits the Jockey Club might not accept the similar moniker. But Leveen hopes one day he can see Ham Sandwich, With Mustard, On Rye and To Go in the same race. "I would love to hear Tom Durkin call that," he said.