Barn Tour: Englehart’s N.Y.-breds could include a 2-year-old star

Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Trainer Jeremiah Englehart focuses most of his effort on New York-breds, appreciating how much can be earned if a colt or filly can merely hold its own in state-bred ranks. There is always the hope that at least one might come along who can excel in open company.

Through two auspicious starts, R and H Stable’s Mo Plex is a 2-year-old who has Englehart plenty excited. The precocious son of Complexity made an eye-opening debut, dominating by 10 lengths against state-breds going 5 1/2 furlongs June 20 at Belmont at the Big A. He stepped into open company in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes on July 13 and rolled on the front end to a one-length victory that has the connections thinking big.

“I think he can be just about anything he wants to be,” Englehart said.

He will let the youngster point him in the right direction as far as what should be next. The colt could gain more experience while taking what might be an easy route for him by competing in the Aug. 25 Funny Cide Stakes against fellow New York-breds. Or he could plunge into the deep end in the Sept. 2 Hopeful (G1).

The Hopeful typically attracts some of the most prominent members of the 2-year-old class. Englehart is well aware of that but said, “There is nothing that makes me think we should try to avoid that race.”

He has allowed himself to think ahead to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, but not too much. He took out his trainer’s license in 2003. He knows racing plans are made to be broken.

“You don’t want to get ahead of yourself,” he said. “That’s obviously the goal, to try to get there. But you have to get there the right way.”

The resident of nearby Schuylerville is overseeing 30 horses at Saratoga, another 25 at Finger Lakes. He expects to showcase a number of good runners during the Saratoga meet. He took Horse Racing Nation on a Barn Tour.

Accidental Bid. Owner Mark Stanley bid more than he planned in going to $375,000 for the son of 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist when he was a yearling. They’ve taken their time with this May foal, and he made his first career start a solid one, placing second June 15 at Aqueduct after going unraced at 2. “It seems like he’s got a bright future,” Englehart said. “We just gelded him. Hopefully, that continues to point him in the right direction.”

Annexperience. A 20year-old son of first-year sire Instagrand who has yet to start, he sold for $165,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s Midlantic May sale. He is an athletic sort and looks as though he could make his mark fairly quickly. “He’s been pretty forward in his breezes so far.”

Bellacose. The blue-collar barn might have another special runner in this 2-year-old daughter of Audible. Manny Franco eased her under the wire as a 10 3/4-length winner when she debuted July 17, going 5 1/2 furlongs at the Spa. She was raised at Saratoga Glen Farm, a short drive from the track. Up next is the Seeking the Ante for New York-breds. “She’s very competitive. She’s fiery.”

Enfuega. The 3-year-old filly draws her name from her sire, Flameaway. She broke her maiden at first asking late last September at Aqueduct. In her lone start this season, she placed second in a six-furlong June 30 state-bred allowance. “I think she can be a New York-bred stakes horse as she gets older.”

Iron Max. A son of Caravaggio, 2-year-old Iron Max debuts in the second race Wednesday, traveling 5 1/2 furlongs on turf with Franco in the irons. He’s had his share of gate problems, so the start will be key. “He’s been doing well. We’re looking forward to running him.”

Miss Welch. Although she looks to have stakes potential within the rich state-bred program, the 2-year-old’s connections are being careful not to rush her because of gate problems. The Maclean’s Music filly sold for $190,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s May sale. “We’re pretty high on her,” Englehart said.

Sir Kartrite. He sold for $195,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga sale. There is optimism the 2-year-old son of Maclean’s Music will prove to be worth that and should be ready for his first start before Labor Day. Englehart: “He was dealing with a (foot) abscess and we lost a little time, but he’ll probably be in the second or third (condition) book.”

Tricky Temper. The 3-year-old filly is another good one for Stanley and looks to be sitting on a strong sophomore campaign. By Into Mischief, she made a winning debut at Saratoga last August. She returned from a layoff of almost six months to run third in the Bouwerie Stakes on June 9 here. “As she gets older, she’s going to keep getting better and better.”

Whittington Park. A 5-year-old by Midnight Lute, he’s been terrific for Ten Strike Racing with a record of 20: 6-1-6 and earnings of $380,435. He shows two wins and a third through five starts this year after returning from a layoff. Up next is the Aug. 9 Evan Shipman Handicap.