Adieu Bids for Third Win

Saratoga begins its much anticipated season today and the main event is the $150,000 Adirondack, a Grade II for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs.

The probable favorite is Adieu. A daughter of El Corredor owned by a partnership that includes Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier and trained by Todd Pletcher, Adieu has won her first two starts by a combined 5 1/2 lengths. One of her victories came in the Astoria on July 3 at Belmont Park.

John Velazquez, who holds the record for most wins at a Saratoga meet by a jockey, has the call for Pletcher, who has won 35 races each of the last two years at the track in upstate New York.

The field also includes the Steve Klesaris-trained duo of Cajun Mistress and Little Miss Zip. Both fillies won in their debuts with the latter beating New York-breds by 7 1/4 lengths in a quick 57 4/5 on June 15 at Belmont.

Race of the day: Cougar Mtn Lodge, who beat maidens by six lengths in his first start for owners Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Fishelberg and trainer Mike Mitchell, heads a field of seven California-breds set to go 5 1/2 furlongs in the $125,000 Graduation today at Del Mar. Alex Solis will ride Cougar Mtn Lodge, a son of Comic Strip purchased privately after he finished second to Case Study in a maiden race May 22 at Hollywood Park. The main threats to Cougar Mtn Lodge are Don Jaun Con, who has won two of three at Golden Gate Fields and Pleasanton, and recent maiden winner Irish Bar.

One for the road: Califo returns at the same level after being claimed for $12,500 by trainer and part-owner Art Sherman and can win for the eighth time in his career in today’s sixth at Santa Rosa. The race will be the first on the new turf course at Santa Rosa. Russell Baze will ride the 7-year-old Percifal gelding in the 1 1/16 -mile contest.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Coronado’s Pride, Cappucino Kid, Ibero Grace and Devil Badgett in the sixth, Cougar Mtn Lodge in the seventh and Jake The Chief, Majestic Avenue and Currituck in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/19. Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.20/$107.40. Total money bet: $104.