Fandom hopes to hear Saratoga cheers in G3 Quick Call
At 0h03, on July 14, 2024 • By Saratoga Race Course
Stonestreet Stables’ stakes-winner Fandom will look to make the grade in Sunday’s Grade 3, $175,000 Quick Call presented by Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, at Saratoga Race Course.
The 5 1/2-furlong Mellon turf sprint for sophomores honors the late Quick Call, who won nine of his 17 starts from 1986 to 1991 at the Spa. Quick Call transitioned in his post-racing career to another starring role in the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s pioneering “Second Chances” vocational training program, working with inmates at Wallkill Correctional Facility in upstate New York. The fan favorite, whose ashes were laid to rest at Clare Court, won Saratoga’s Grade 2 Forego Handicap in 1988-89.
Fandom [post 3, Jose Ortiz, 122 pounds] made his first three starts for trainer Wesley Ward, graduating on debut last April at Keeneland before heading overseas to finish 11th that June in the Group 2 Coventry at Royal Ascot. The Showcasing bay returned to action on April 7 with a rallying score in the 5 1/2-furlong Listed Palisades, besting returning rival Mansa Musa by a neck with reopposing pacesetter No Nay Mets in fourth.
He has since joined the barn of dual Eclipse Award-winner Brad Cox and has posted his last three works over the Oklahoma training turf, including a half-mile effort in 47.80 seconds Monday that ranked second of 54 efforts at the distance.
