Saturday Flirt, trained by Wesley Ward and ridden by Junior Alvarado, won the Grade 3 Soaring Softly Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, overcoming favorite Cloe with a strong outside move to win by 3 3/4 lengths. The race, originally scheduled on turf, was moved to the fast main track at 5 1/2 furlongs. Saturday Flirt, off at 4-1 odds, completed the race in 1:04 flat, marking her first win on dirt and improving her record to three wins in four starts with career earnings of $210,020.
Ward expressed some initial concern about switching Saturday Flirt to the dirt surface but was pleased with her performance, noting the track’s moisture helped her handle the change well. Alvarado praised the filly’s smooth trip and adaptability to the dirt, highlighting her strong finish after sitting off the pace. The victory added to Ward and Alvarado’s successful day, as they also teamed up for a maiden win earlier on the card.
Following the Saratoga meet, live racing moves to Aqueduct Racetrack for the Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet starting June 12, with coverage available on FOX Sports and wagering through the NYRA Bets platform, which is accessible nationwide via its app.
