By J.N. Campbell
Clarence and Dorothy Scharbauer built Valor Farm outside of Dallas 30 years ago after Dorothy and their daughter Pam campaigned Hall of Famer Alysheba in the late 1980s.
Their son Doug continues the blue-and-white silk tradition as his unbeaten homebred Closing Act (Munnings) takes on 10 other 2-year-old fillies in Thursday's GIII Schuylerville S. on opening day at Saratoga. The Steve Asmussen trainee, listed at 10-1 on the morning line, is coming off her first stakes win in the Astoria S. June 11 at Belmont Park after breaking her maiden at first asking May 11 at Churchill Downs.
David Aragona's morning-line favorite at 5-2 is MKW Racing's Wine On Tap (Tapit). The $600,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase won by three lengths in her debut June 18 at Belmont. The gray filly, ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., is looking to give trainer Todd Pletcher his seventh victory in the race.
Another entrant of note is Saratoga Secret (Arrogate). The $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate won her lone race June 3 at Ellis Park by three lengths. She will look to get her picture taken for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who is seeking his first Schuylerville win since 2004.
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