Chad Brown holds strong hand in Glens Fall Stakes

There isn’t much speed entered in Saturday’s $250,000 Glens Falls Stakes (G2) at Saratoga, which could be the ticket to success for #8 Night of England.

At first glance Night of England might appear to be the least likely winner among the three fillies and mares entered in this 1 3/8-mile grass race by Saratoga’s leading trainer Chad Brown. Whereas her stablemates #2 Fools Gold and #4 Santa Monica are both graded stakes winners this year, Night of England is winless in two North American starts and and the only win on her record came in Germany.

But dig a little deeper, and Night of England’s form becomes more appealing. As a 3-year-old in Germany, she was among the better members of her division and placed second in the 2018 German Oaks (G1). Subsequently transferred to Brown’s care, Night of England made her U.S. debut in the 1 3/8-mile Long Island Stakes (G3) on November 24 at Aqueduct, where she led for much of the journey but faltered in the final sixteenth to finish fifth, beaten just 1 1/4 lengths.

Eight months later Night of England made her second U.S. start in a 1 3/8-mile allowance at Saratoga on July 28. Unfortunately she was squeezed between rivals at the start, fell back to last place early and fought her rider a little. Then, after she rallied wide into the stretch, Night of England didn’t get the clearest run down the lane. Despite these obstacles she finished fifth by just a half-length in a blanket finish.

Because Night of England displayed speed in Germany and in her U.S. debut, I’m optimistic she’ll race near the front Saturday with a clean break. With jockey Luis Saez in the saddle, Night of England should be able to stalk last year’s Glens Falls winner #7 Lady Montdore through slow fractions and take the lead when asked. From there I anticipate she’ll be tough to run down, especially in her second start off a layoff.

Considering how she finished off the board in her first two U.S. starts, Night of England should offer a fair price in the wagering, so a win bet is definitely in order. I’ll also key Night of England in the exacta with her Brown-trained stablemates.

$10 to win on #8 Night of England $4 exacta: 8 with 2,4 ($8) $6 exacta: 2,4 with 8 ($12)

Good luck!