SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Emulating her fellow Darley campaigner Bernardini (A.P. Indy), who was ultra-impressive in
the Travers S. (G1) on Saturday, DUBAI ESCAPADE (Awesome Again) made a shambles
of the competition in the Ballerina Breeders’ Cup S. (G1), annexing the Sunday
feature in front-running style by 8 1/2 widening lengths.
Dubai Escapade, who looked like the pacesetter on paper, glided to the lead
under a rating hold by jockey Edgar Prado, as Stormy Kiss (Arg) (Bernstein) and
Indian Flare (Cherokee Run) began their chase of the 6-5 favorite. Dubai
Escapade continued to show the way down the backstretch, and as she made her way
around the far turn, it was apparent that neither of the aforementioned runners
were making up any ground on her as Prado maintained a firm hold on the leader.
Under modest urging in the stretch, Dubai Escapade began to increase her
advantage past the eighth pole, and at that point, it was just a matter of who
would finish second, as Dubai Escapade was clearly in command.
Nothing But Fun (Dixie Union) closed belatedly in deep stretch to earn the
place over a beleaguered Stormy Kiss. Malibu Mint (Malibu Moon) was dispatched
as the 2-1 second choice in the betting, but failed to make her presence felt at
any juncture in the race. She evidently regressed badly off career best efforts
in her two prior starts and wound up finishing next to last.
The main track was labeled fast for the first race, and was then downgraded
to good for the sixth race. The main track was definitely biased toward early speed in sprints
throughout the day. Overnight rain necessitated the cancellation of turf racing.
Horses to Watch
5TH – HYPNOTIZE (Maria’s Mon) closed widest and best of all in the stretch
over a speed favoring track to finish second behind a dominant winner in her
career debut. Her dam hails from a blue hen mare who produced such notable
runners as Easy Goer and Easy Now, both of whom excelled over a route of ground.
Appears as if she will only get better with distance.
7TH – MAIZELLE (Seeking The Gold) might have been best in her well bet/well
meant career debut. She broke like a shot from her outside post and was then
allowed to drop back off the early pace. She raced a bit wide down the
backstretch, and was subsequently bothered by a riderless horse. Maizelle then
unleashed a powerful bid from far off the pace while racing wide to reach
contention around the far turn. She remained wide while sustaining her bid into
the stretch, and then continued to make up ground while clearly second best to a
perfect trip, wire-to-wire winner.
Outlook for Monday, August 28
Monday’s weather forecast calls for cloudy skies with a high of 77.
The 8TH and featured race of the day is the Rumpipumpy S., for fillies and
mares at nine furlongs over the inner turf course.
The 3-1 morning line favorite is SAFARI QUEEN (Arg) (Lode), who is trained by
Todd Pletcher. This Argentinean-bred four-year-old filly was a close up fourth
to Brunilda (Arg) (Mutakddim) in the Politely S. at Monmouth Park on July 16 off
a layoff, a race she most definitely needed. Incidentally, the winner from that
race, Brunilda, came back to win the Eatontown H. at Monmouth on Saturday on the
main track, a race that was initially meant for the grass. Safari Queen has
worked thrice since that effort, and obviously should be much fitter shipping
into Saratoga. Stable rider John Velazquez gets the call.
PYRANA (Anabaa) has simply been out of her element of late, competing at the
wrong distance and facing graded stakes competition in her most recent efforts.
She was forced to rally from last place at twelve furlongs in the Waya S. on
August 11, but managed to improve her position despite the fact that the final quarter-mile of
the contest was completed in a rapid :23 1/5. A livelier pace scenario in addition
to a cutback in distance are both definite pluses in her second Saratoga start.
MARCHONIN (Dixieland Band) ran sneakily well when fifth in the Matchmaker S.
(G3) on August 6. She raced evenly in a paceless race but held her position as
the race quickened noticeably late. A livelier pace scenario is expected, and
she has run well over this turf course in the past. Cornelio Velasquez will ride
for trainer Michael Matz.
LADY PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus), trained by Bobby Frankel, has only run twice
on grass. Regardless, she was a strong third in a monied allowance contest at
Churchill Downs on May 4, and has been kept busy by Frankel in the morning,
sporting a steady stream of workouts since. She possesses dangerous tactical
speed and a good inside post.
GRAND OPENING (Ire) (Desert King), also trained by Frankel, has been a major
disappointment thus far, failing as the favorite in all four of her starts since
coming to the United States. However, she definitely should appreciate a turf
course with some give to it, as both of her victories overseas came over soft
turf. She also gets a positive rider switch to jockey Javier Castellano and will
be equipped with blinkers.
Monday’s Plays
1ST (TURF ONLY) – METRO METEOR (City Zip) – Trainer Linda Rice has done
remarkably well in turf sprints at the Saratoga meet. She has another
opportunity to add to that list with Metro Meteor, who turns back in distance
while dropping in class. This three-year-old gelding wanted no part of nine
furlongs in the New York Stallion S. on August 6, flattening out badly after a
strong move to reach contention around the turn. Metro Meteor is unbeaten in
turf sprints, and should get a lively pace to close into for Rice, who does well
with horses going from a route to a sprint.
9TH – SUMMER JOURNEY (Salt Lake) makes her third start off the claim for trainer Tim Hills, who is enjoying a strong Saratoga meet. She ran creditably in her
Saratoga debut effort on July 31 versus much tougher, exhibiting a good turn of
early foot over a track favoring runners from off the pace. She takes a
realistic drop to the $20,000 claiming level, and appears to possess a tactical
advantage over her main rivals. Summer Journey has been sharpened for speed of
late by Hills, and will reunite with jockey Mike Luzzi, who was aboard for her
two career victories at Belmont Park.