On August 17, 2012, a two-year-old filly named Heading to Toga lived up to her name, making the first start of her career at Saratoga Race Course. She won by five lengths; a horse named Fantastic Eyes finished fifth.

Bred by Anthony Bonomo’s Brooklyn Boyz Stable, owned in partnership with his wife’s MeB Racing Stables, Heading to Toga made it back to the Spa this year, exactly one year to the day of her only victory, racing in the opener last Saturday. This time, Fantastic Eyes won and Heading to Toga finished fifth, and a few steps after the wire, Heading to Toga broke down badly, fracturing her right front leg. She was euthanized on the track.

Eleven races later, after a long, beautiful day in which a presumptive champion, Princess of Sylmar, won the 133th Alabama, another horse named for this place, Summer Place to Be, made his debut. Like Heading to Toga a year before, he won, by four and a half lengths.

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