SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2006
by Bernard T. Moore
Saratoga owns a well-deserved reputation as the “Graveyard of Favorites.”
That axiom was true once again in the Albany S., when INDIAN HAWKE (Indian
Charlie) went wire-to-wire to post a shocking upset at odds of nearly 20-1.
Trained by George Weaver, Indian Hawke suffered a drubbing in the New York
Derby at Finger Lakes last month at the hands of 5-2 second favorite Ferocious
Won (Lite the Fuse). Therefore, not much was expected of him today. Ridden by
Jose Santos, Indian Hawke was able to set a very deliberate pace, with the 8-5
favorite Run Red Run (Afternoon Deelites) stalking him down the backstretch.
Ferocious Won had those two runners clearly in his sights, and not much changed
as this trio approached the far turn. Ferocious Won, with Edgar Prado up, was
the first to be asked in earnest for more run around the far turn. Shortly
thereafter, the riders of both Indian Hawke and Run Red Run followed suit, as
these three runners were stacked across the track once they turned into the
stretch. It became clear that Ferocious Won did not have it, and he began to drop
back under pressure as Indian Hawke and Run Red Run went about the task at hand.
Everyone was waiting for Run Red Run to blow by the pacesetter at any time,
but it never happened. Indian Hawke held on grimly to the lead, eventually going
on to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Shuffling Maddnes (Real Quiet) closed with good
energy, and then bumped with Run Red Run in midstretch while trying to improve
his position. He appeared to break stride as a result, which obviously cost him
valuable momentum as it took him several seconds to regain his balance before
continuing his bid. A last ditch effort to overhaul the winner failed to
materialize, but he still managed to finish second by a neck.
Run Red Run sat a perfect trip and had no visible excuses while settling for
third. Always Albert (Albert the Great) raced evenly and checked in fifth. Ferocious Won, who had nothing to offer when called upon in the stretch,
wound up finishing sixth.
The main track appeared to return to normal, with no apparent path bias as
well. Closers held an edge on both turf courses.
Horses to Watch
3RD – VOODOO (Petionville) has been slow to find his best stride as an
eight-year-old off a prolonged absence, but he offered a much improved effort
while being re-equipped with blinkers and switching pilots to John Velazquez. Stalked a lively pace until midstretch and then tired to finish fifth. May have finally
turned the corner with this effort, and is worth following if kept in an
allowance/optional claiming contest.
4TH – FINAL REFRAIN (Lion Cavern) recorded a heartbreaking second-place finish in her
well-meant career debut. Was forced six-wide around the far turn and remained
wide into the stretch. Continued on gamely to the finish, racing in the middle
of the course while failing to switch to her proper lead. Would have won with a
better trip and a stronger rider.
Outlook for Thursday, August 24
Partly cloudy skies with a high in the mid-70s is expected on Thursday.
WILDCAT BETTIE B (Meadowlake) returns to the racing wars as the 123 pound co-highweight
in the Victory Ride S. (G3) for three-year-old fillies at six furlongs. When
last seen under silks, the Larry Jones-trained Kentucky-bred runner was a
determined come-from-behind winner in the Prioress Breeders’ Cup S. (G1) at
Belmont Park last month.
Unbeaten in three starts at today’s distance, Wildcat Bettie
B possesses versatile running styles and is adaptable to any pace scenario she
encounters. Also, she has established that she does not have to carry her
racetrack with her, having won at four different dirt tracks in her brief
career, and attempts to increase that number to five while venturing to Saratoga with
jockey Mario Pino in tow. She has the ability to fire her best shot when fresh,
and the fact that Wildcat Bettie B is the lone Grade 1 winner in today’s field
should make her the likely favorite in the betting.
ORIGINAL SPIN (Distorted Humor) exits the Test S. (G1), where she was a sharp
second after setting an extremely quick pace. She annexed the
Arlington-Washington Breeders’ Cup Lassie S. (G3) as a two-year-old employing
stalking tactics, and may be ready for a career best effort making her third
start off the layoff. She added front bandages for the Test, and it will be
interesting to see if they remain today. Fernando Jara climbs aboard.
Also toting top weight in the Victory Ride will be MISTY ROSETTE (Stormin
Fever), who was a strong third in the Test behind Original Spin. She should
definitely appreciate the cutback in distance, and her fine tactical speed makes
her an obvious threat to take down the top prize.
CHEROKEE JEWEL (Cherokee Run) boasts an enviable race record in that she is
just a head shy of being unbeaten. A rail-skimming ride by jockey Eibar Coa
after a troubled start in the Capote Belle S. at Saratoga landed her in the
winner’s circle in her most recent outing, and she looms as a possible spoiler
once again.
ANY LIMIT (Limit Out) is another runner who ran in the Test. She was saddled
with a tough outside post in that contest, and moves closer to the rail for
trainer Allen Jerkens. Undoubtedly, she will profit from a return to six
furlongs.
G CITY GAL (Elusive Quality), SUMMER GIRLFRIEND (Forest Camp) and KHALILA
(Elusive Quality) complete the field.
Thursday’s Plays
8TH – Any Limit ran exceptionally well off a freshening in the
Test S. (G1). She stalked a very lively pace despite departing from an extreme
outside gate, and held well until midstretch in a much-needed effort. With that
race under her belt, I anticipate improvement cutting back to six furlongs, a
distance that should flatter her. She draws a more favorable post and has been
sharpened for speed in recent days. Any Limit is expected to be on, or at least
very close to the early lead, with regular pilot Richard Migliore back on board
again.
9TH – FANTORINI (Theatrical [Ire]), a Pennsylvania-bred runner, has not quite
panned out as his connections would have liked since he returned to the United
States for a winter campaign at Gulfstream Park. He has dispensed some good
efforts on occasion, but takes a realistic drop, landing in a rather soft
basement-level claimer for his second Saratoga start. He made up ground in a
swiftly run race without threatening in his most recent effort, and with the
extra distance today in addition to a beneficial class drop, a dramatic reversal
in form is probable. Fantorini sports a bullet four-furlong, speed-sharpening work in the
interim, and with a more pedestrian pace likely, it should enable him to sit
closer to the lead.