SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2005
by Dick Powell
Hazy, hot and humid weather forecasts usually are followed by the “chance
of afternoon thunderstorms” caveat. On Wednesday at Saratoga, all three
elements were in place and fans got to see their first Pick 6 with an
off-the-turf event being declared an “All” race under new wagering rules in
New York.
Heavy rain hit the track today in between the 5TH and 6TH races. The 7TH,
originally intended to be run on the inner turf course going a mile, was
switched to the wet main track. With the Pick 6 pool already closed, the 7TH
became an “All” race.
With the Pick 6 being hit on Monday for $69K, there was no carryover
going into today’s card and with only one race carded after the switch was
made, the new carryover rules were not applicable. Had their been a
carryover into Wednesday, the carryover would have been paid off since only
one race was taken off the turf. If two or more races are taken off the
turf, then the carryover is held back and carried over to the next day’s
races.
Today’s Pick 6 paid $1,600 even with the 7TH race being an “All” race and
I don’t think anyone can really complain about the payoff. The favorite did
win the 7TH, so under the old system you would have had the favorite with
all the scratches but at least you didn’t have to anticipate the race being
switched in your advance handicapping.
The New York Breeding and Development Program couldn’t have gotten any
more positive publicity than from today’s Cal Calloway New York Stallion
Stakes, a $250,000 event for New York-sired three-year-olds that had only
seven in the field. Tomorrow’s 3yo filly counterpart, the Statue of Liberty,
has attracted only six.
Tom Bush has been an overnight sensation on the New York Racing
Association (NYRA) circuit the last few years. But, like most overnight
sensations, Bush has been around a long time and more than paid his dues. He
was Mike Hushion’s top assistant for years before going out on his own and
has enjoyed great success.
On Wednesday, Bush sent out GOLD AND ROSES (Gold Token), who toyed with
the field before pulling away to 6 3/4-length win over Galloping Grocer,
providing Bush with his biggest payday yet.
The 3RD race was a juvenile maiden event for males going five furlongs.
They may not be Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez, but Steve Asmussen and Jerry
Bailey combined to win their third race of the meet – all juveniles – when
DOC O DYNAMITE (Successful Appeal) went gate to wire to win by 2 1/4
lengths. The dark bay colt covered the distance in :58.95. Second time
starter Political Force (Unbridled’s Song) did not show the speed he did
last out and rallied to be a non-threatening second for Allen Jerkens and
Jose Santos.
You may not have heard of FREUD (Storm Cat), whose first offspring are
racing this year, but he had a big effect on the 4TH race with four
entrants. Grade 2 stakes-placed in Europe, Freud is a full-brother to the
great GIANT’S CAUSEWAY (Storm Cat), who is off to a huge start at stud with
multiple classic winners in Europe from his first crop.
Brought to New York by Becky Thomas and Lewis Lakin and standing at
Lakland Farm North in Hudson, Freud was the sire of a three-part entry of
homebreds that were trained by three different trainers. Even though his
initial stud fee was only $5K, you knew his offspring could run when they
hit the juvenile sales this year and many brought six figures.
Race 4 was a juvenile filly maiden turf event going two turns and the
betting public made Summer Palace (Freud) the favorite at 8-5. She cost
$300,000 earlier this year at Fasig-Tipton Calder. The Lakin-owned entry
went off at just over 3-1 and at one point in the stretch it looked like
they were going to sweep the board.
MY INTERPRETATION (Freud) wound up winning it by 1 1/4 lengths in
1:42.83, an excellent time for juvenile going two turns here on the turf and
one of the five fastest times in the last 10 years. Entrymate Interpretation
(Freud) wound up third, and Freud added $32,200 in sire earnings, which will
move him up the first-crop sire lists.
In yesterday’s preview, I thought that UNIBRIDLED SUNSHINE (Untuttable)
had a shot to speed pop in the 9TH race. Edgar Prado did his job by gunning
to the front on the muddy track and despite Miami Princess’ (Parade Ground)
late charge, we won the head bob at a $16.20 mutuel, the only double-digit
payoff (from the flat races) on an afternoon dominated by short-priced
winners.
Horses to Watch
4TH – HOMERETTE (Grand Slam) ran evenly in her turf debut for Pat Kelly
who usually races them into shape and deserves another shot on the grass.
6TH – VOLCANIC GLOW (Sweetsouthernsaint) is a one-dimensional closer who
shipped in from Finger Lakes, but he caught a sloppy track that favored
speed and can be played back in a similar spot.
Thursday’s Best Plays
4TH – We got beat with the highly-touted, Steve Margolis-trained
Somethinaboutbetty (Forestry) a week ago, but we’re going right back with
SLEW PEG (Fusaichi Pegasus) on Thursday. Training up a storm for Margolis at
Churchill and Saratoga, the juvenile filly makes her career bow and is a
half to two stakes winners, including Slew Gin Fizz, who loved it here.
9TH – Linda Rice sends out PRECISE MOTION (Precise End) off a sharp win
last out and he gets a major rider switch to John Velazquez.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2005
by Dick Powell
A. P Jet-sired fillies swept the Statue of Liberty division of the New
York Stallion Series when KARAKORUM SPLENDOR (A. P Jet) narrowly beat Avery
Hall (A. P Jet) by a nose going the nine furlongs in a pedestrian 1:53.85.
Avery Hall looked like a winner in the deep stretch but took a bad step and
lost enough momentum to just miss.
“Where they rake the track — the imperfection in the harrow — she saw
it, stuck her toes in and lost her action,” Tony Black, Avery Hall’s rider,
explained. “I’m sure it cost her the race.”
Winning trainer Jimmy Jerkens and jockey Johnny Velazquez were more than
happy to have a $250,000 stakes win handed to them. Especially the way
Karakorum Splendor behaved early in the race. Jerkens noted, “I was afraid
the way she went into the first turn — rank and throwing her head around —
she was spent. She got lucky; she got her head down. We’ll take it.”
Velazquez echoed Jerkens’ sentiments.
“She ran great, but it wasn’t easy,” Velazquez said. “I had a very hard
time to get her to relax early in the race. She wanted to take off, and she
really fought me hard. Eventually, I brought her to the five-path down the
backstretch so I could let her go on her own terms. Then, I really had to
work hard to get her running again.”
A. P Jet also sired the fourth-place runner, Ms Litigator, giving him a
healthy $212,500 in stallion earnings for the race. With Galloping Grocer
(A. P Jet)’s second in the boys’ division the day before, and another
$50,000 in earnings, it was not a bad day for the son of Fappiano.
Carl Lizza’s Flying Zee Stables won their fifth race of the meet in the
5TH when EXPENSIVE LESSON (Key Contender) got up in time to break her maiden
going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf. Ridden by Fernando Jara, she is
trained by Hall of Famer Frank Martin, who is the fourth winning trainer for
Flying Zee at the meet.
Todd Pletcher was not seen in the winner’s circle Wednesday and with only
one starter Thursday in the 4TH race, it looked like the juggernaut might be
stalled momentarily.
Wrong!
Pletcher’s first time starter UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW (Yes It’s True) opened up
as the 7-5 favorite and then drifted up 2.25-1 at post time as the second
betting choice behind ultimate favorite Lunargal (Yes It’s True). She acted
up behind the gate, threw Velazquez off while loading and finally settled
down.
She was all keyed up and it showed when she sprinted to the front
covering the first quarter in :21.51 — the fastest of the meet. Pressing
her hard every step of the way was Jerry Bailey aboard Lunargal who was
trying to give Steve Asmussen his fourth juvenile winner of the meet. The
two juvenile fillies opened up a big lead on the rest of the field and
turning for home it looked like Unobstructed View’s early antics would cost
her.
Just when it looked like Lunargal was going to hang on, the anchor was
thrown out and she began to flounder. Unobstructed View battled on gamely
and held off a fast-closing Fast Deal (Grand Slam) to hang on to win by a
length in 58.94. It was the 12th winner of the meet for Pletcher/Velazquez,
and Pletcher has three live ones in Friday.
Amazingly, we had fast and firm conditions for today’s racing despite a
shower between 5TH and 6TH on Wednesday and heavy rain last night between 7
and 8 p.m. (EDT). The main track did have some moisture in it and played
faster than it did in the first week.
There is no question that the added cushion that has been added to the
main track here this year has resulted in running times being about a full
second slower. In golf terms, a par-70 course is playing about 72 this year.
Still, we saw horses on the lead and on the rail Thursday hold on very
well even with the deeper cushion. The fact is for those of us who seek out
track biases as a shortcut to handicapping, there really hasn’t been one for
most of the meet.
Pickings have been pretty slim at the meet so far this year for Robby
Albarado. Bailey has the live Asmussen mounts and the riding colony is
strong this year with Ramon Dominguez, Gary Stevens and, until he got hurt
with a meet ending ankle injury in Monday’s 5TH race, Rafael Bejarano.
Robbie was 0-for-20 going into Thursday, but he finally found the winner’s
circle with a well-timed move aboard TEMPERED STEEL (Tale of the Cat) to win
the 6TH six going away.
Horses to Watch
3RD – CAIMAN (Malibu Moon) dropped way back, lost contact with the field
and then rallied strong for second going nine furlongs in decent time.
4TH – FAST DEAL (Grand Slam) showed nothing in her career debut at
Belmont, was sent off at long odds here and rallied for second with first
time Lasix.
Friday’s Best Plays
Pletcher has a string of horses down at Delaware Park this year with his
stalls at NYRA having been reduced. In Friday’s 2ND race, a two-turn turf
event for juveniles, he ships in STRAIGHT RUN (Straight Man) off a series of
five-furlong workouts and looks ready. The colt will break from the rail
with Velazquez and Straight Man is off to a good start with his turf runner.
I like the speed pop, sprint-finale angle. In fact, I invented it. The
theory behind is that the main track gets watered throughout the day and is
at its speed-favoring best by the end of the day. It worked on Wednesday
with Unbridled Sunshine (Untuttalbe) at $16.20. Friday’s 9TH race is a
sprint and REUNITED (Dixie Union) looks to be the fastest of the fast.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2005
by Dick Powell
Steve Asmussen won his 3,000th career race today when FOREST MUSIC
(Unbridled’s Song) went gate to wire to win the Honorable Miss H. (G2) by
two lengths in a tour-de-force performance. On paper, it looked like there
was a lot of speed in the race but not enough speed to get within Forest
Music’s tail during the race.
She gunned to the front with Johnny Velazquez and never looked back
despite running the first half-mile in 44.43 seconds. “She seemed like she
was walking,” said Velazquez after the race. “They told me she is really
fast. She was so calm, I was a little concerned about it. I kept her quiet.
When the doors opened, she was gone.”
Recently purchased by Stonestreet Stable, Forest Music was a monster
first-out winner as a juvenile that was rushed into the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Fillies (G1) two years ago. Shortened back to a sprinter, she’s
always tough when she makes the lead and relaxes. With a top gate rider like
Velazquez, the race was over when she broke on top.
Asmussen, whom it may seem has won 3,000 races the past two years, was
very complimentary of the new owners of the filly who privately purchased
her from Michael Gill.
“It is kind of how the career evolved, when there is a filly like this
that the owner paid so much money for and moved into my barn,” Asmussen
said. “There is not success without that opportunity.”
Forest Music took 1:10.06 to cover the six furlongs of the Honorable Miss
and REUNITED (Dixie Union) only took 1:10.60 to win the 9TH race, a
conditioned allowance event for fillies and mares. Even with first-time
front leg bandages and sweating profusely, she won in a common gallop for
Robbie Albarado and Neil Howard.
Pulpit (A.P. Indy) has become a terrific sire as horsemen have figured
out his offspring want to go long and run on the turf. In today’s 2ND race,
a maiden special for juveniles going two turns on the turf, Lisa Lewis sent
out CHURCH SERVICE (Pulpit), a first-time starter out of a stakes-winning
With Approval mare.
He dropped far back early behind a steady pace under Ramon Dominguez and
then began to rally around the far turn. Velazquez had sent Straight Run
(Straight Man) to the front and looked like a winner turning for home but
began to run erratically through the stretch and was passed by Church
Service who went on to a one-length victory in 1:44.60.
In the other division of this group in the 4TH race, Devil’s Preacher
(Pulpit) acted up throughout the paddock, post parade and in the race.
Wooden (Woodman) dumped Jerry Bailey in the post parade and MYSTIC RULER
(Fusaichi Pegasus) unseated Edgar Prado at the gate.
At the start, Under Thunder (Thunder Gulch) went right to the front and
settled beautifully for Cornelio Velasquez. He covered an uncontested first
half mile in :50.16 and looked like he might go gate to wire. Mystic Ruler
was giving chase in second for Prado and had the leader in his sights every
step of the way.
The real story was Devil’s Preacher, who was fighting Javier Castellano
and was steadied repeatedly. Considering how much energy he expended before
and during the race, he showed that he has some raw talent that will be
awesome when he learns his lessons.
Mystic Ruler went up after Under Thunder turning for home and after a
stretch-long battle, prevailed by three parts of a length. He’s out of
Buffalo Berry (Sri Pekan), who won a stakes race in Europe before coming to
America and winning the Reeve Schley Jr. S. (G3). Her first foal to race is
turf stakes winner Chattahoochee (War Chant).
Edgar Prado was the riding star of the day with four winners and Stanley
Hough trained two winners.
Saratoga had its first turf sprint race in recent memory in the 6TH. Run
at 5 1/2 furlongs, the race was won by SECOND IN COMMAND (Silver Deputy),
who rallied from off the pace to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths in the
blazing-fast time of 1:01.52.
Horses To Watch
4TH – DEVIL’S PREACHER (Pulpit) was sweating profusely in the paddock,
was rank in the post parade and going to the gate, then acted up during the
race when he refused to relax. Still, he showed a ton of talent and will be
worth watching.
7TH – WILD VICAR (Vicar) went to his knees at the break with Eibar Coa
holding on for dear life, losing all chance.
Saturday Preview
The Test S. (G1) is always one of the highlights of the Saratoga meet for
the hardcore players. A Grade 1 seven-furlong sprint always attracts a
contentious field and Saturday’s renewal is proof positive. Eight betting
interests and a field of ten will take to the track tomorrow and I am
looking for SENSE OF STYLE (Thunder Gulch) to regain last year’s form when
she won the Spinaway (G2) and Matron (G1) before going bad.
She returned this year for Pat Biancone with two good efforts and despite
her pedigree, she seems to do her best running going one turn. Edgar Prado
has the call.
I am a big fan of COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor) and even though he was
beaten this winter in his lone attempt going two turns, I think he’ll be
very tough in Saturday’s Whitney H. (G1). He looks like he’ll have the early
lead all to himself and should be able to hold on. What I want to see is a
relatively fast pace. A slow pace lets too many others into the race and
will turn into a kicker’s race which he will lose.
With the short run to the first turn, Gary Stevens should be able to open
up on this group and take the starch out of the rest of the field.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2005
by Dick Powell
It’s not always ups and downs. Sometimes, it’s downs and ups. Just ask
Nick Zito.
Earlier in the day, Noble Causeway (Giant’s Causeway) had to be pulled up
and vanned off. Later in the day, COMMENTATOR (Distorted Humor) made it all
worthwhile in the Whitney H. (G1).
A New York-bred son of Distorted Humor (where have we heard that before),
Commentator was coming off a spectacular optional claiming win last out
going seven furlongs in 1:20 1/5. We all know how fast he is. His past
performances going one turn look like the proverbial picket fence. However,
his lone attempt at two turns was a seventh-place finish in the Hal’s Hope
H. (G3) in January at Gulfstream.
With Gary Stevens in the irons, he broke behind Saint Liam (Saint
Ballado) but Stevens was on a mission and he sent Commentator to the lead
around the clubhouse turn. Straightening out for the run down the
backstretch, Stevens opened up a daylight lead while Edgar Prado was content
to get Saint Liam to settle.
Commentator covered the first half in :46.41 and then really threw down
the gauntlet with six furlongs in 1:09.76, faster than any six-furlong race
has been run at the meet. Stevens had a five-length lead and Prado was
beginning to ask Saint Liam to get after him. He gradually cut the margin
down but the wire was coming just as fast. With a final spurt, Saint Liam
gave it his all but fell a neck short as Commentator held on in 1:48.33.
Zito, who is being inducted in the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of
Fame on Monday said it best after the race, “It’s an up and down game. All
you can do is keep fighting.”
We have seen our share of California shippers that show up at the Spa and
become unglued with the heat and humidity. Not always, but it’s a tough
place in which to ship cross country.
Based on this idea, Eric Kruljac had a big advantage today with his
first-ever Saratoga starter when he sent out LEAVE ME ALONE (Bold Badgett)
in the Test S. (G1). He had a fast filly, drew the rail, broke on top and
never looked back to win by 7 3/4 lengths in 1:22.76. Pretty easy game?
Kruljac, who is winning at a healthy 25 percent clip this year
nationwide, was not surprised his three-year-old filly could bottom out the
field.
“She will rate, but I thought we were very dominant with the speed that
she has,” Kruljac said. “My biggest concern, of course, was the one-hole,
but she keeps drawing the one-hole and, at least sprinting, she runs very
well from it. She was just a professional. She’s just getting better and
better. Kent (Desormeaux) gave her a perfect ride. We thought there might be
some ‘rabbits’ sent, but he was aware of that. She just got out there and
relaxed so nicely for him. At the quarter-pole, she put them away.”
How smart did Jerry Bailey look today? Last week, he told the track vet
that Noble Causeway did not feel right going to the post of the Jim Dandy
(G2). After an inspection that found nothing, Bailey still felt that he
didn’t feel right and Noble Causeway was scratched.
Zito and staff went over him with a fine-toothed comb and were not able
to find anything wrong either. The trainer entered Noble Causeway back in
today’s 3RD race, a last-ditch attempt to get a race in him as a prep for
the Travers S. (G1) on August 27. And, he had a new rider in Ramon
Dominguez. Bailey had the mount aboard ICE WYNND FIRE (Northern Afleet) for
Bobby Frankel.
As soon as the horses went around the clubhouse turn, track announcer Tom
Durkin said that something was amiss with Noble Causeway, who was soon
pulled up and vanned off. To add insult to injury, Bailey went on to win the
race with Ice Wynnd Fire.
After the race, Zito indicated that Dominguez said that he warmed up
fine, broke sharply and started to act funny and stopped.
“It has to be something internal,” a puzzled Zito said.
Turf Racing 101 says that you must save ground on the turf.
Not always.
In today’s opener, Dominguez had SPEEDY DEEDY (Victory Gallop) sitting
midpack in a 1 1/16-mile claiming event on the Mellon Turf Course. Bailey
had the 13-10 favorite, Landmark (Arch), down on the rail sitting behind
early pacesetter Quick Queen (Line in the Sand).
As the field approached the top of the stretch, Dominguez swung wide and
went up after the leaders. Bailey had saved all the ground but by the time
he found clear running for Landmark, Dominguez had all the momentum on
Speedy Deedy and held on to win by a nose. Yes, he lost ground but Dominguez
made the move he wanted when he wanted and it worked — just barely.
Many juvenile debut runners impress with a great flash of speed and
little else. In today’s 5TH race, GRAND SURVIVAL (Grand Slam) raced in
between horses, had dirt kicked in his face and courageously prevailed
through the stretch to win by a half-length in 1:18.45 for the 6 1/2-furlong
event. All first-out maiden winners have questions to answer the next time
they run but there’s no doubt about Grand Survival’s gameness.
Purchased for $1 million at Barrett’s March Two-year-old in Training Sale
by Gulf Coast Farms, I am sure the phone was ringing right after he hit the
finish line. Gulf Coast was the original owner, along with Martin Cherry, of
HENNY HUGHES (Hennessy), who they sold for a reported $4.3 million to Darley
Stable. We’ll see if they hold on to this one.
Dominguez and Bailey each won three races today. John Velazquez was shut
out as was his main man Todd Pletcher, who only has one win in week two.
Horses to Watch
3RD – QUADRANT (Boundary) did all the work chasing a runaway winner over
a track that favored speed most of the day.
5TH – SUPERFLY (Fusaichi Pegasus) was a terrific third in his career
debut for Zito, who doesn’t usually have them cranked up first time out.
Sunday Preview
War Marshall (A.P. Indy) disappointed here on Opening Day but Allen
Jerkens adds blinkers in an effort to keep him near the pace. We’ll give him
another shot in race two with Richard Migliore.
We’ll try to upset the Amsterdam S. (G2) with Maddy’s Lion (Lion
Hearted), who had no chance chasing a speedball on a speed-favoring track
last out at Monmouth. He adds blinkers and does his best at this distance.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2005
by Dick Powell
Steve Asmussen won his 3,000th race Friday and it looks like he’s working
hard on the next 1,000. In today’s Amsterdam S. (G2), he sent out SANTANA
STRINGS (Wheaton) off a fast win at Lone Star last out in the Alysheba
Breeder’s Cup S. Amazingly, the bettors dismissed him at 9.60-1 and paid a
heavy price for ignoring America’s winningest trainer.
Breaking well from post seven, Eibar Coa chased Storm Surge (Storm Cat)
through a first quarter of 21.95. He pressed that one around the turn, hit
the top of the stretch and then battled on gamely. Just when it looked like
he was home free, Social Probation (Jules) made a huge rally from the back
of the pack that fell three parts of a length short.
After the race, Asmussen was almost apologetic about his management of
Santana Strings.
“I just really made some wrong moves with him early,” Asmussen said. “We
ran him in the Sunshine Millions Dash against Lost in the Fog (Lost Soldier)
and he got left at the gate. I took his blinkers off. With the success that
he had with them on, it was just a horrible call on my part. When you are
done making those mistakes you look up and you have shipped him across the
country twice. If that wasn’t enough I ran him a mile in the Derby Trial at
Churchill. He scoped awfully bad off of that. I have actually put him in his
last two races; races that he was prepared for. The King’s Bishop (G1) is
the hope. We didn’t stretch out successfully before, but there were
extenuating circumstances to that.”
Winning rider Coa’s strategy worked out to perfection.
“I wanted him to break good and stay close to the pace,” Coa said.
“That’s the way the track has been playing. Everything worked out well. When
I asked him to run, he took off.”
Favorite Silver Train (Old Trieste) made a mild rally for third and
Richard Dutrow Jr. was dumbfounded by his performance.
“Maybe he just reacted to his last race,” Dutrow said. “Maybe he likes
the track down there (Belmont) a lot more. He went into the race good. It
looked like he ran just an even race.”
Storm Surge ran a very underrated race for Dallas Stewart. He was used
hard down the backstretch to keep up, dueled through a 21.95 first quarter
and held on well in the stretch. He carried 123 pounds and should be tough
in the King’s Bishop going seven furlongs if he draws well.
If you’re playing Chantal Sutherland at this meet you’re making a lot of
money. Going into Sunday’s action, Sutherland had two wins at the meet, both
on the turf, and they paid $37.40 and $110. She was two for 14 and all but
two of her mounts went off at double-digit odds.
In today’s 2ND race, she had the call on TRUER THAN TRUE (Yes It’s True)
for John Kimmel. Don’t think that Sutherland is just a finesse rider. In
today’s sprint, she went head-to-toe with Coa, wouldn’t give an inch, and
held on by a half-length. Her growing number of backers were rewarded with
$26.60 for every $2 they bet.
Later, in the 6TH race, she did it again when she guided SUPER NATIONALS
(Skip Away) to a 2 1/4-length win in a maiden turf event going a mile on the
inner course. She saved ground behind the speed and when a big hole opened
up at the top of the lane she shot through and won going away. This time her
winner paid $24.20.
One mark of a top rider is that horses just seem to respond to their
commands. Whether it is their seat, hands, legs or all three, top riders
just seem to get the needed response when they need it. The game is not just
placing the horse in a winning position but having the athletic talent to
get the horse to do it. Whatever it is, Sutherland seems to have it.
Angel Cordero, the King of Saratoga, is the jockey agent for John
Velazquez and has enjoyed enormous success. Ironically, Jorge Velasquez,
Cordero’s biggest rival and best friend, is the agent for Sutherland .
Jerry Bailey had the winning mount on ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus) in
today’s Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park. Yet, he hung around here
for the 3RD race. Now, we know why.
A monster first-out maiden winner at Churchill back in July for Frank
Brothers, FIRST SAMURAI (Giant’s Causeway) returned here for a six-furlong
allowance event against four rivals. He broke sharp and settled in behind
Trippi Appeal (Trippi), the early pacesetter, behind a modest first half in
45.48.
Bailey was sitting on a ton of horse and when he crossed the reins and
drew his whip, First Samurai exploded to a six-length lead. He ran his last
quarter in 24.88 and his final time of 1:10.36 is the fastest by a juvenile
at the meet and fourth-fastest of the entire meet. His performance looks
even better when three-year-olds in today’s Amsterdam S. (G2) took 1:10.18
In today’s world of long breaks in between races, it’s unlikely that
he’ll return in the Hopeful S. (G1) on Travers Day. But if he does start,
he’ll be my favorite.
Coa was the riding star of the day with three winners. Sutherland and
Edgar Prado won two.
Horses to Watch
4TH – ZERO PROBABILITY (Gorky Park [Fr]) wound up chasing the pace out in
the middle of the track on both turns.
8TH – STASHED AWAY (Lord Avie) wound up on the lead instead of being
covered up behind horses. Still, she battled on gamely into deep stretch and
could be tough if she makes one run.
Monday Preview
Sutherland has one mount on Monday and it’s for Jimmy Jerkens in the 3RD
race. WORLD SERIES (A.P. Indy) ran evenly in a six-furlong sprint in his
career debut and should stretch out nicely.
In the 9TH race, HIPPY HIPPY RED (Explosive Red) had a tough start here
last out costing him whatever chance he had. Still a maiden after 14 starts,
he should be dead fit in his third start in less than a month.
MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2005
by Dick Powell
Today was the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame induction
ceremony. Sid Watters, Tom Walsh, Lonesome Glory and Nick Zito are racing’s
latest honorees. The Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavillon, where the induction
ceremony was held, was never more packed and most came for Zito’s speech.
Zito was warm, gracious and appreciative of the opportunities presented
to him. He made a special point to thank by name numerous people who he
worked for or worked for him. I would have bet Zito was 1-9 to break down
emotionally at some point during the speech but he held on as strong as
Commentator (Distorted Humotr) last Saturday in the Whitney H. (G1).
Later in the day, the National Racing Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S.
(G2) was run. Why graded stakes at nine furlongs like the Diana (G1), Hall
of Fame and Bernard Baruch (G2) are run on the inner turf course instead of
the Mellon course I’ll never understand. And had this race been run on the
Mellon, it might have had a different result.
A wide-open affair, the betting public finally settled on Reel Legend
(Catrail) as the lukewarm 22-10 favorite. Canadian shipper T. D. VANCE
(Rahy) was dismissed at 16-1 despite being trained by Graham Motion and
winning a stakes race at Woodbine last out.
Breaking from post 5, Todd Kabel sent T. D. Vance up after High Limit
(Maria’s Mon) through a half in 47.35. Substitute rider Ramon Dominguez took
Silver Whistle (Alphabet Soup) back after the break and saved ground on the
inside. High Limit opened up a clear lead around the far turn but began to
wilt from the pressure from T. D. Vance turning for home.
Kabel suddenly had a clear lead with a furlong to go and awaited the late
challenges. The only one coming was Silver Whistle, who was in high gear
after Dominguez got him clear. He was steadied in traffic on the far turn
but with giant strides, Silver Whistle began to make up a five-length
deficit. His late rally fell a nose short and there’s no question in my mind
if this race is run on the wider Mellon Turf Course he gets up in time.
Winning trainer Graham Motion said teaching T. D. Vance to settle was the
key. Plus, having a target to run at helped. “I think it was really key that
(Todd Kabel) knew the horse because the biggest thing is getting this horse
to settle,” Motion said after the race. “I thought he would be fine as long
as he relaxed. Last time in Canada, Todd got him to the lead a little
earlier than usual and he got a little ‘gawky.’ He did a great job today.
The horse is very talented. Every race has been a progression to this race
to get him to settle. He showed a lot of ability.”
Chantal does it again! On her only mount of the day, Chantal Sutherland
guided WORLD SERIES (A. P. Indy) to a sharp front-end score in the third
race of the day. Despite the colt showing no gate speed in his career debut,
she gunned him to the front and was under pressure every step of the way
while down on the rail.
Bredwinner (Belong to Me), the 3-5 favorite, loomed boldly for the entire
nine furlongs and actually took the lead with a furlong to go. But, Chantal
had saved something for deep stretch and she got into World Series and
pulled away to a length victory. The betting public is starting to catch on
and her winner only paid $14.80, the lowest mutuel payoff of her five
winners of the meet. It was the fifth winner from 11 starters for trainer
Jimmy Jerkens.
Jerry Bailey was hurt in the post parade of the 4TH race. First-time
starter Performing Diva (Storm Cat) lived up to her name when she acted up
in the post parade. Storm Cat’s offspring are some of the highest-strung
horses on the grounds and this filly suddenly threw her head back and hit
Bailey in the face.
“The filly threw her head back and caught me,” Bailey said. “I don’t know
if my nose is broken or not, but it is pretty sore and swollen. I took
several stitches (on the bridge of the nose and cheek); fortunately, Dr.
(Richard) Alfred was in the paddock and he was right there to tend to me.
I’ll go down to Albany tomorrow for X-rays and seen what happens.”
Performing Diva ran off and was scratched from the wagering after being
caught by the outrider. It is still unclear if Bailey is going to miss any
action on the track.
Nine different riders won the nine races today for nine different
trainers. Todd Pletcher had a winner in race seven with SHANIKO (A. P. Indy)
ridden by Johnny Velazquez. It was Pletcher’s second winner of week two and
he now leads the trainer standings with 13. Still a record pace but more
back to earth.
Nobody hit the Pick 6 today and the carryover into Wednesday’s card is
$53,371. With the track dark tomorrow you have an extra day to get ready.
Horses To Watch
3RD – PREACH BY DAY (Deputy Minister) was bumped at the start and tried
to rally wide behind a leader who went gate to wire.
8TH – CROWN POINT (Honor Grades) gave it the old inside/outside trip and
rallied strong after finding running room in the deep stretch.
Wednesday Preview
CALCULATOR (Polish Numbers) ran well going seven furlongs in fast time in
his last start at Belmont Park. He makes his turf debut here and should be
able to handle a mile on the inner turf. In the 9TH race, THE QUEEN’S STAMP
(Prized) ran well in her turf debut and then came back and ran well despite
being bumped around turning for home. Give her another chance.