European Import Saratoga Special Makes U.S. Debut On Turf Saturday At Santa Anita
At 0h02, on February 18, 2026 • By Santa Anita Park
Irish-bred import Saratoga Special, purchased by co-owner Abbondanza Racing for $451,338 in December at Tattersalls in Europe, makes her U.S. debut Saturday in the $100,000 Wishing Well Stakes for older fillies and mares going six furlongs on turf at Santa Anita. The Wishing Well is restricted to horses who have not won a graded stakes since Aug. 1, 2025.
Trained by Richard Baltas, Saratoga Special won twice in 11 starts in Ireland before selling at Tattersalls. She is co-owned by Abbondanza Racing and TCC Stables. A 4-year-old filly by Mehmas, Saratoga Special has worked five times on Santa Anita’s synthetic training track since Jan. 16 for her U.S. debut. On Saturday, Saratoga Special signaled her readiness with a four-furlong drill in quick 46.60. She will have jockey Hector Berrios aboard.
