Clement Holds Key in Long Island Stakes

The $400,000 Long Island Stakes runs at Aqueduct on Saturday and trainer Christophe Clement could have a mortgage on the race.

Headlining horse racing betting markets are La Dragontea and Mutamakina, who hail from the Clement stable. They have taken most of the money, but with the likes of Orglandes and Luck Money in the field, it’s wide open.

La Dragontea Best Backed

The Clement-trained 4-year-old has been best-backed to beat stablemate Mutamakina, despite finishing second behind her in the E. P. Taylor Stakes.

She didn’t lose any admirers with the defeat and bettors should look to her win in the Canadian Stakes at Woodbine as a betting guide.

Unfortunately for Clement, La Dragontea has been sold to Australian interests for $1,375,000, but remains in his care until next year.

“I’m delighted that she’s back in the barn. She’ll go to Australia next year; we’ll try to do the best we can with her,” Clement told Bloodhorse.

She was unlucky in the Taylor Stakes after getting too far back in the run. The daughter of Lope de Vega weaved through traffic but came up just short in the shadows of the post.

Beating her was Mutamakina, who demands respect. She won consecutive races in Canada, including the Grade II Dance Smartly Stakes. Clement is happy to have her back in the U.S.

“She’s been training very well. I’m very happy with her,” Clement said. “She’s a top-class mare. She’s never trained so well than when she came back from Canada. Her last couple of works have been remarkable and I’m excited to run her back.”

The sportsbook has the pair one-two in the betting. We expect plenty of money to come their way on race day, but we’re not leaving out Sorrel.

The third Clement-trained filly suffered her first defeat from four starts in the Grade III Orchid Stakes. She was beaten by War Like Goddess and Always Shopping, so the form checks out.

It was her first run stateside after winning all three starts in the UK. She won the River Eden Fillies’ Stakes at Linfield Park before making the move, and we think she’ll be right in the mix.

Orglandes Poses Threat

Chad Brown lines up the 5-year-old mare who scored a win in the Zagora Stakes at Belmont last start.

The daughter of Le Havre owns three wins from seven starts, including the Red Carpet Stakes on this day last year.

She faced tough opposition following that win, which came in the Sheepshead Bay Stakes and Glens Falls Stakes. Despite those defeats, she’s good enough to turn the tables.

Mutamakina finished second in the Sheepshead Bay, so she’ll need to improve on the run. Betting online markets have Orglandes at 5-1, so there has been solid betting support throughout the week.

Saver on Summer in Saratoga

It pays to have a saver bet on Summer in Saratoga, who won the Grade III Dowager at Keeneland last start.

The 5-year-old mare by Hard Spun hasn’t made the most consistent start to her career, but she owns four wins from nine starts, so that must be respected.

She scored a win in the Tom Benson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds earlier this year. It has been a busy year with six starts, but her win in the Dowager came over Luck Money, so that form bodes well.

Bettors should have a wager on Summer in Saratoga, who is a trifecta chance.