SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2005
by Dick Powell
First, there was Golden Man (Suave Prospect), who ran in graded stakes on
consecutive days last month. Now, there is DAVE (Ends Well), a winner here on
Wednesday who came back on three days rest to upset the West Point H. for New
York-breds. Maybe this is the trend that racing needs to get fuller fields.
“He got through on the rail on the backside, stayed out of trouble and got
clear of the others,” trainer John Hertler said. “I loved that hot pace. I was a
little concerned about the four days rest, but he came back fresh and good and I
took a shot.”
Dave stalked a quick pace of :22.87; :46.07 and 1:09.92 set by Provincetown
(Crimson Guard), who was pressed early by Redefined (Labeeb [GB]).
Certifiably Crazy (Fit to Fight) went off as the lukewarm 5-2 favorite but
had major trouble on the first turn.
“I tried to get him behind the other two horses (Provincetown and Redefined),
and as soon as the other horses got in front of him, he didn’t make the turn,”
John Velazquez said. “He went right out. He finally got settled, and didn’t
punch the way I thought he would. I thought since they went that fast in front,
they would come back to me, and my horse would have something left to kick.”
Blues Highway (Dixie Brass) and Sicilian Boy (Senor Speedy) took the worst of
it when Certifiably Crazy bore out on the clubhouse turn and finished seventh
and eighth, respectively. Provincetown held on for second despite setting the fast pace.
Dave’s breeder, Joseph W. Gerrity, is the majority owner of Saratoga Racing
and Gaming across the street. The fact that he continues to race homebreds with
his son at his age (at least 86) is a testament to the hope and optimism that
the game produces.
Local showers never really hit the Saratoga area today and the main track was
listed as “fast” and the turf courses were listed as “good.” I hate to quibble,
but the turf is much closer to “firm” than “good” and I wouldn’t assume anyone
who ran well on it was a less-than-firm turf specialist.
The second-biggest crowd of 70,792 tied up traffic in and around Saratoga. A
stadium blanket was given away and, even though the timing seems awry, it was
extremely popular. With the heat and humidity that we have had, giving away a
fan might have drawn over a 100,000 people.
Leading rider Edgar Prado was away at Mountaineer Park to ride in the West
Virginia Derby (G3) and Velazquez tightened up the rider standings with two
scores. The defending champion now trails Prado by one and, considering how cold
the Todd Pletcher barn has been, Velazquez can’t be too disappointed with his
place.
Pletcher went another day without a winner but his lead in the trainer
standings is still six over Steve Asmussen, Jimmy Jerkens and Richard Dutrow Jr.
But don’t weep for Pletcher. He had many of his big guns out on the track
today and even worked ASHADO (Saint Ballado) and FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor)
in company this morning. Flower Alley won the Jim Dandy (G2) on July 30 and
Ashado won the Go for Wand (G1) a day later. They both have a 1 1/4-mile race
coming up in two weeks — Flower Alley in the Travers (G1) on August 27 and
Ashado in the Personal Ensign (G1) a day earlier. So they both worked five
furlongs in 1:02 1/5 breezing together.
“It’s not rocket science,” Pletcher said. “They’re pretty much on a similar
schedule. Both ran 14 or 15 days ago and they’re going to run at 1 1/4 miles
around the same time. They seemed to work well together the last time they
breezed. They both worked very well and finished up strong.”
Black Eyed Susan (G2) winner SPUN SUGAR (Awesome Again) was out on the main
track and cruised five furlongs in :59, handily. She should be one of the
choices, along with Sis City (Slew City Slew), in the $750,000 Alabama S. (G1)
next Saturday with the defections of Smuggler (Unbridled) and Summerly (Summer
Squall).
“The race has obviously changed with the deflection of Smuggler, who would
have probably been the favorite, and Summerly, who would have probably been the
second choice,” Pletcher said. “Our filly has shown in her last two races that
she fits with those two fillies. We are certainly going to give her a chance to
prove herself here.”
Pletcher also had Carter H. (G1) winner FOREST DANGER (Forestry) out on the
track and he worked a half-mile in :50. If he’s ready, he’ll go in the September
3 Forego H. (G1) at the end of the meet.
Horses to Watch
5TH – SMART SHERIF (Old Trieste) rallied nicely to be second in his career
debut going two turns on the turf for turf maven Jim Toner and should be much
better next time out.
10TH – SEVEN BELLSFORBABA (Ormsby) was checked sharply at the start and wound
up chasing the pace instead of setting it. He battled on gamely through the lane
behind an easy winner and shouldn’t be a maiden much longer.
Monday Preview
With the entire Saratoga area being under a severe thunderstorm warning
Sunday night, Monday’s turf races will be a crapshoot but we’ll take a shot. In
the 1ST race, HE FLIES (Concorde’s Tune) showed good late energy last time out
here going longer on the Mellon Turf course and should sit a good trip here with
Velazquez. In the 6TH race, Warrior Song (Unbridled’s Song) is out of Grade 1
winner La Gueriere (Lord at War [Arg]), making him a half-brother to Grade 2
turf winner Lasting Approval (With Approval) and is training well here.