Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. II) winner Duality heads a field of eight juveniles entered in the six-furlong $200,000 Sapling Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth Park Saturday. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee will race on Lasix for the first time in the race. Lukas also sends out Overbrook Farm's Snow Ridge in the Sapling. The two will race as separate betting interests, as will trainer John Mazza's two entrants (High Ideal and Waltz King).
While Duality will likely start as the heavy favorite in the wagering, Kinsman Stable's Starbury, the likely third wagering choice, hopes to upset the race. Starbury nearly upset Bobby Hurley's $1-million purchase Songandaprayer in their respective debuts at Monmouth Park in June, closing 4 1/2 lengths from the stretch call to the wire to miss the win by a half-length. Since then, Starbury won a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race at Laurel by 5 1/4 lengths as the 1-5 favorite.
"He's a touchy horse to train," said John Tamarro III. "He needs work around the gate, but we have to space his schooling out or he gets bored. He's not a bad gate horse, but he's been a little anxious around the gate, so we've been working with him."
The field for the Sapling, with jockeys and morning-line odds, will be:
1--T P Louie, Vladimir Diaz, 15-1
2--Duality, Jose Velez Jr., 9-5
3--High Ideal, Tom Turner, 8-1
4--Sea of Green, Antonio Pena, 10-1
5--Snow Ridge, Edwin King Jr., 6-1
6--Shooter, Joe Bravo, 7-2
7--Starbury, Rick Wilson, 4-1
8--Waltz King, Dale Beckner, 6-1
All carry 119 pounds
