Fil Dor will carry top weight in Sunday’s inaugural Grade 1 Leo O’Brien Handicap Hurdle at Saratoga, giving Ricky Hendriks a live hand in the new $150,000 feature. The Del Rio Racing runner is set for his Saratoga debut over 2 3/8 miles, with Jake Coen booked for the ride.
The eight-year-old son of Doctor Dino has been allotted 158lb after a 2025 campaign that included a Grade 1 Colonial Cup win at Camden and a fourth in the Iroquois at Percy Warner on May 9. Hendriks also runs Lynches Knock, who has Conor Tierney aboard from 142lb.
Saratoga Grade 1 Field Takes Shape
The race honours Leo O’Brien, the former steeplechase jockey and trainer of New York-bred stars Fourstardave, Fourstars Allstar and Irish Linnet, who died in January aged 85. Its arrival also gives Saratoga’s summer jumping programme an immediate Grade 1 focal point on opening weekend.
Rocket One, last seen finishing second in the Grade 1 Beverly Steinman, adds depth for Jack Fisher, while Arch Kingsley Jr sends Grade 1 winner Merry Maker and Grade 1-placed Sweet Will. McTigue, Take Your Seats and St James the Great complete the line-up.
The Leo O’Brien opens Sunday’s nine-race Saratoga card, which also includes the Grade 3 Kelso and Listed Harvey Pack, according to NYRA’s official race advance.
