FOUR AT THE SPA TAKE DENALI GRADUATES TO 50 STAKES PERFORMANCES FOR THE YEAR

STRAIGHT STORY set a stalk-and-pounce trip off a longshot leader, pressed by in upper stretch and stayed on best of all for an overdue first stakes success in the West Point S. at Saratoga on Aug. 19. The well-bred dark bay endured a trio of excruciating beats at three, going down by a head in the G2 Jamaica H. A bit more conservatively campaigned this season, STRAIT STORY missed by a head in his May 1 comeback in a second-level state-bred allowance before clearing that condition by a convincing 8 ½ lengths May 29. A credible fourth in the G1 Untied Nations in July, he was heavily backed and rewarded his backers taking command entering the far turn to win by length.

STRAIGHT STORY’s dam was campaigned by Marlene Brody’s Gallagher’s Stud to a pair of restricted stakes wins and a runner-up effort in the G3 Honey Bee H. The half-sister to MG1SW Take Charge Lady was sold by Denali to Shadai Farm for $925,000 in foal to El Prado at KeeNov in 2006 for her breeder. Denali graduate Icabad Crane finished third. The next day Denali sale graduates You Go West Girl and Chestoria finished second and third in a close finish in the Yaddo S.