A Special Day at Saratoga

King Of The Roxy, who upset maidens at 11-1 on July 2 at Hollywood Park, will run for a new owner and trainer in his stakes debut in the $200,000 Saratoga Special Breeders’ Cup today at Saratoga. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of $73,783.

Trained by Richard Matlow when he won last month in Inglewood, King Of The Roxy, a 2-year-old son of Littleexpectations, will be running for trainer Todd Pletcher and Team Valor, who purchased the dark bay colt for an undisclosed amount, in the Grade II this afternoon at 6 1/2 furlongs.

John Velazquez will ride the Ohio-bred, who was purchased for $8,000 last September at Keeneland, and they will break from the outside box in the field of seven.

In his win, King Of The Roxy, who had finished sixth of seven in his first start May 18, sat third early, then kicked away in the stretch to win by 2 3/4 lengths in 1:03 3/5 for the 5 1/2 furlongs.

Two others in the Saratoga Special enter off wins. Cash Rich, a son of Orientate, broke his maiden at first asking July 16 at Delaware Park and Fast N Ready whipped $75,000 maiden claimers by nearly eight lengths in his Saratoga debut July 31. Jeremy Rose will ride Cash Rich. Julien Leparoux has a return engagement on Fast N Ready, a More Than Ready colt.

Race of the day: Fantastic Spain, who has won four of nine, will make his first start on the Del Mar turf course in the $85,000 Harry F. Brubaker Handicap today. Corey Nakatani will be aboard the 6-year-old Fantastic Fellow horse for a partnership and trainer Neil Drysdale in the 1 1/16 -mile race. Seven others are scheduled to run, including Texcess, We All Love Aleyna, New Export, Fast And Furious, Cooperation and Stormin Away.

One for the road: Just Grin’n won big in her turf debut at Ellis Park on July 19 and can come right back in the eighth race this afternoon. Thomas Pompell will ride the 3-year-old Twining filly for owner-breeder James Haley and trainer Michael Warpool in the $22,000 allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Boi Can Run and Commander Gary in the first, Kiss The Cooke and She Looks Famous in the second and Pieces Of Paradise and My Perfect Patti in the third.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 4/69. Money: (previous day/meet total): $26.40/$388.40. Total money bet: $426.