SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2007
by John Mucciolo
Hines Racing LLC’s LAWYER RON (Langfuhr) proved that his Whitney H. (G1)
demolition was no fluke as the four-year-old crushed his foes in the $500,000
Woodward S. (G1) on Saturday. Deftly angling to the outside of pacesetter
Wanderin Boy (Seeking the Gold) from his rail post under John Velazquez, the
colt took over turning for home and quickly spurted clear, eventually finishing
8 1/4 lengths clear of his nearest foe. The final time for 1 1/8 miles was a
strong 1:48 3/5, and the winner now has a firm grip on the handicap division.
Sun King (Charismatic) was last for the opening half-mile but split horses
late to earn the place at 13-1, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Diamond Stripes
(Notebook), who was three-parts of a length clear of Corinthian (Pulpit).
Mike Pegram et al’s MIDNIGHT LUTE (Real Quiet) showed no rust from a lengthy
absence in dominating the $250,000 Forego S. (G1) under Shaun Bridgmohan, who
was subbing for Edgar Prado after the rider reportedly injured his ankle when
thrown during the gallop out following the 7TH race. The talented Midnight Lute
swept three wide approaching the final turn and found no resistance, quickly
opening up to an insurmountable lead in midstretch for Bob Baffert. The winning
four-year-old zipped seven-eighths in an outstanding 1:21.
Benny the Bull (Lucky Lionel) was last after the opening quarter-mile but
closed strongly down the center of the track to easily secure the place spot, 9
1/4 lengths ahead of third-place finisher Attila’s Storm (Forest Wildcat).
A total of 11 races were held on Saturday, with six on the green and five on
the main oval. In three turf dashes, we saw one winner come from just off the
early tempo, with another pair coming from well back early. The turf routes
produced two deeper closers and one who was in striking range throughout. The
main oval saw one wire-to-wire winner, three pace pressers, and one victor from
the clouds.
Conditioner Bill Mott sent out two more winners today in boosting his
meet-leading total to 23. Linda Rice continues her incredible late push to now
boast 12 winners, tied with Gary Contessa, Todd Pletcher and Richard Dutrow, for
second place.
Cornelio Velasquez got his photo taken once again on this day and now boasts
43 first-place finishers. Kent Desormeaux, who brought in three on Saturday, is
next with 39. Ramon Dominguez and Garrett Gomez are tied in third with 28.
Horses to Watch
6TH – HUSSONFIRST (Hussonet) was a bit hard to handle in the straight, but
the juvenile colt was always best in this one. The chestnut endured a dream trip
just off the pace and closed well to take this one for the red-hot Linda Rice.
9TH – Midnight Lute was so visually impressive in here that he appeared
capable of anything on this day. The four-year-old looked like he was working
out against this solid group, and we hope he continues to race east of the
Rockies.
Tomorrow’s Outlook – Sunday, September 2
Ten two-year-old fillies will travel seven furlongs in the $250,000 Spinaway
S. (G1) as the Sunday feature. Adirondack S. (G2) vixen MORE HAPPY (Vindication)
hails from the white-hot Baffert barn and brings in a two-race unbeaten mark.
The speedy dark bay will break from post 7 under Rafael Bejarano.
Adirondack second and third, A TO THE CROFT (Menifee) and PASSION (Came
Home), respectively, will get an extra half-furlong to try to reel in More
Happy. The former was a nice maiden winner at Churchill for Ken McPeek and gives
the impression of a filly who might want farther. The latter, from the Pletcher
barn, found her best stride very late and could be dangerous in this one.
Impressive debut heroine IRISH SMOKE (Smoke Glacken) has trained well in
advance of her stakes debut for Patrick Biancone. The gray was much the best in
her initial start and should be running late under Julien Leparoux. PHANTOM
INCOME (Montbrook), a 10 1/4-length maiden winner who encountered gate issues in
the Adirondack, returns for Richard Violette.
Schuylerville S. (G3) third BLITZING (Montbrook), J J’sdream S. victress
YONAGUCCI (Yonaguska), MORAKAMI (Fusaichi Pegasus), SALTY WAVE (Salty Sea) and
PREDATE (Pure Precision) are also entered.
Eleven three-year-olds will travel 1 3/16 miles on the Saratoga turf course
in hopes of bagging the $100,000 Saranac S. (G3). DISTORTED REALITY (Distorted
Humor), winner of the Lexington S. two back, is listed as the 5-2 morning line
choice for Pletcher. The chestnut sandwiched placings in the Hill Prince S. (G3)
and National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2) around his Lexington win and
will tote 121 pounds as the highweight.
BLAZING DYNAMO (Dynaformer), whose full brother Blazing Fury captured the
2001 edition of this race, exits a start against tougher and could be the one
for James Toner. Glow S. hero PAYS TO DREAM (High Yield) is in top form for
David Donk and rates a chance at a square price. Stanton S. hero DIAMOND FEVER
(Seeking the Gold) has won four straight for Michael Matz.
MYSTERIOUS PEINTRE (Fr) (Peintre Celebre), SENOR ENRICO (El Prado [Ire]),
MISSION APPROVED (With Approval), CHALUIWITCANE (Tiger Ridge), LA NEIGE (GB)
(Royal Applause [GB]), AMBASSADOR (Ger) (Acatenango) and GIANT CHIEFTIAN
(Giant’s Causeway) complete the field.
TISHMEISTER (City Zip), DON’T MIND ME (Freud) and WESTERN SWEEP (Western
Expression), the top three finishers in the Statue of Liberty division of the
New York Stallion S., lead a field of 12, including a main-track only entrant
and an also-eligible, in the $80,000 Irish Actress S. for three-year-old fillies
going one mile on the inner turf.
Sunday’s Best Plays
2ND – ROLLERS (Stormy Atlantic) attracted $500,000 at Fasig-Tipton earlier
this year and has trained like a good horse for Barclay Tagg. There is no proven
commodity in the field, and this one appears ready to fire at first asking.
5TH – FINAL REFRAIN (Lion Cavern) rallied well into a slow pace most recently
and should be a live win contender if she’s not left with too much to do in this
one. The Albert Stall Jr. trainee owns the best last-race BRIS Late Pace number
in the field and should be able to save ground early from post 2.
9TH – Diamond Fever is a big overlay at 8-1 on the morning line and should
appreciate the 1 3/16 miles for Michael Matz. The improving three-year-old
should be in the race from the opening bell under Jose Caraballo.