Run since 1881 at Saratoga, the Spinaway is one of the oldest and most prestigious races in the country for two-year-old fillies.

This year’s running is highlighted by the presence of a filly whose half-sibling is one of the most accomplished horses of all time.

After an easy debut victory in California last month, Chasing Yesterday arrives at The Spa as the favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1 Spinaway.

 

“It’s a lot for a horse that has just run one time, especially a two-year-old, to ship across the country,” said Chasing Yesterday Assistant Trainer Jimmy Barnes.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, the filly’s name evokes memories of past conquests, and that’s for good reason. The chestnut is a half-sister to 2015 Triple Crown champion, American Pharoah.

“You basically treat them like they are any other horse but they’ve always got that little specialness to them and you know,” said Barnes.

Baffert’s longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes has worked closely with both horses, along with two other full siblings of the Triple Crown winner.

“This one I would say is a little closer to him, she has a big stride on her and she doesn’t quite have the size of him yet but the mind and her stride would be the similarities,” said Barnes.

Of American Pharoah’s brothers and sisters, Chasing Yesterday is the first to appear at Saratoga, a track where the champion colt famously lost in the Travers three years ago.

“Coming here for the Travers, that trip was a tough trip,” said Barnes. “But that is well behind us now. We just move forward, it is fun to see his siblings come here and run.”

In the time since, the Baffert barn has more than atoned for the loss with two Travers wins and a second Triple Crown added to the mantle with Justify. With a chance to keep that run going, Chasing Yesterday also represents an opportunity to redeem her big brother at racing’s most storied track.

“We always want to win, that is our main goal so it would mean a lot,” said Barnes. “You just have to lead them over there in good shape, happy and healthy and they will get it done for you.”

Tomorrow will mark the 127th running of the Spinaway. If Chasing Yesterday is able to win, it would mark the first victory in the historic stakes race for Baffert.