SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 7, 2008
by Bernard T. Moore
Week #2 at Saratoga has been completed and is in the books. And, with
much-improved weather, both handle and attendance rose over opening week.
Thirteen races have been taken off the turf according to NYRA at this year’s
meet, causing a predictable downturn in business. Conversely, not a single grass
event during the first two weeks of the 2007 meet found its way to the main
track. As I put the finishing touches on this week’s notebook on Wednesday, the
extended weather forecast for upstate New York calls for the chance of showers
and/or thunderstorms for each day thru the weekend. Geez, I wonder if Saratoga
has an umbrella giveaway this year. Regardless, let’s get to last week’s graded
stakes action.
AUGUST 1 — Allowed to carve out a controlled and uncontested pace, ANY LIMIT
(Limit Out) made every pole a winning one, triumphing in the Honorable Miss H.
(G2) by 5 3/4 expanding lengths. The Allen Jerkens trained runner found herself
alone on the lead with Miss Macy Sue (Trippi) her closest pursuer. Zada Belle
(Indian Charlie) chased the pace as well, but was compromised when forced to
check sharply nearing the turn while Graeme Six (Graeme Hall) benefited from a
perfect outside trip. Shortly after entering the stretch, Any Limit began to
distance herself from the field as the race was now for place. Zada Belle
subsequently closed well along the inside in the stretch to get second, with
Graeme Six coming on late to take down the show. Miss Macy Sue gave way and
finished fourth while Rite Moment (Vicar), who trailed throughout, brought up
the rear in a dull effort.
AUGUST 2 — As it turns out, the Test S. (G1) wasn’t much of a “test” after
all for INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie), as she dismantled the opposition en
route to an authoritative seven-length triumph. I won’t bore you with the
details except to say that the Bob Baffert-trained sophomore runner had look of
a winner virtually every step way. With jockey John Velazquez serving as merely
a passenger, the odds-on favorite drew away in upper stretch, and was never
asked for her best at any point while completing the seven furlongs in a quick
1:22 3/5. Sweet Hope (Lemon Drop Kid) passed tired horses to finish second, with
Ms. Margaret H. (Point Given) closing belatedly to get third money.
AUGUST 3 — Showing no signs of rustiness despite not having competed since
October 6, 2007, RED GIANT (Giant’s Causeway) wore down a stubborn Stalingrad
(Glitterman) to emerge victorious in the Fourstardave H. (G2) on Sunday. Trained
to the minute by Todd Pletcher, Red Giant was forced to change lanes as he
mounted a stretch bid. Undeterred, the four-year-old finished resolutely to
collar the runner-up in deep stretch, proving best by a determined neck.
Stalingrad, within striking distance throughout, moved to the front at the
midstretch point and secured a tenuous half-length advantage. He resisted gamely
when headed by the winner, and just missed in a sharp effort. Thorn Song
(Unbridled’s Song) stalked the front runner into the stretch, but could
accelerate when asked and outlasted Distorted Reality (Distorted Humor) by a
nose to get the show. Danak (Ire) (Pivotal), dispatched as the 2-1 favorite,
failed to make the course as he was pulled up by jockey Rajiv Maragh while
bleeding from his left front and left hind quarters.
AUGUST 4 — In the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2), WESLEY (El
Prado [Ire]) closed widest and best of all to score by a half-length while
annexing his initial graded stakes triumph in the process. Wesley finally
leveled off leaving the far turn under jockey Javier Castellano, and was then
maneuvered outside of rivals for clear sailing. He was able to sustain that
rally to finish, closing with a purpose notch his third victory from just six
starts in 2008. Thou Swell (Aptitude) certainly outran his 26-1 posttime odds.
He rated kindly on lead while dictating tepid fractions, and held on grimly to
save second under jockey Jean Luc Samyn. Deal Making (Empire Maker) raced in
heavy traffic while attempting to rally in the stretch, closing well when
finally clear to get third. Adriano (A.P. Indy), the even-money favorite,
endured a brutal trip. He was caught behind horses passing the eighth pole while
attempting to rally, and lacked racing room again while looking to split rivals
in deep stretch. He managed to finish fourth with under modest encouragement by
jockey Edgar Prado while remaining “in tight” between rivals to the finish.
Suffice it to say that this was not one of Prado’s Hall of Fame rides.
The main track played honestly the majority of the week, but appeared to
favor speed on Sunday and Monday. The Mellon and Inner turf courses favored
closers on Wednesday. Both courses became played evenly until Sunday, when
closers appeared to hold an edge once again.
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (7/30)
2ND — DIXIE TIME THIEF (Dixie Union) raced evenly to finish third in an
abbreviated sprint to begin her career. She should benefit from this effort, and
might appreciate more distance in the future.
9TH — ICE COOL KITTY (Tomorrows Cat) appears to be slowly rounding back
into form off a long layoff. Carried her speed much farther vs. statebreds,
setting a pressured pace before tiring to finish third. Will probably be
stretched out in distance for her next start.
Thursday (7/31)
2ND — KEEP’EM MOVIN DAN (Distorted Humor) recorded a sharp second-place finish in his
well bet/well meant career debut. He held gamely while setting a pressured pace,
yielding only to the favorite in the stretch in a good educational race.
9TH — PRINCE OF PEACE (Regal Classic) was entered at the wrong distance for
his return. He ran reasonably well chasing slow fractions at six furlongs in an
even effort while finishing third. Look for him to be stretched out to a route
of ground in subsequent starts.
Friday (8/1)
8TH — GOLDEN WEEKEND (Golden Missile) was ambitiously spotted off a sharp
maiden special weight
turf win in a sprint. She held remarkably well dictating the pace into the
stretch, tiring slowly late to finish a respectable fourth. She remains eligible
for a preliminary allowance contest.
9TH — Zada Belle has suffered both career defeats against graded
stakes competition. Finished gamely despite steadying sharply down the
backstretch, losing her best chance behind a loose wire-to-wire winner.
Saturday (8/2)
2ND — NOWHERE TO HIDE (Vindication) had to be “rushed up” to get position
after coming away from the gate awkwardly in his debut. He did well to finish
fourth in an encouraging race, and should have gained valuable experience from
this effort.
3RD — ON BOARD AGAIN (Awesome Again) offered a useful comeback effort off a prolonged
layoff. He closed with good energy to be second in a “foundation building” race.
He will in all likelihood be stretched out in distance in his next start.
Sunday (8/3)
1ST — DIVERSE (Kingmambo) closed belatedly while racing wide to take down
the show in a race that quickened noticeably late. A one-paced runner, she needs
the right setup and a good trip to be at her best.
4TH — AOJA (Lion Heart) closed well late to finish second in a swiftly run
contest. She should move forward off this effort as trainer Patrick Kelly rarely
wins with a first timer.
Monday (8/4)
8TH — CIELO SONG (Conquistador Cielo) closed well late to finish second
behind a multi-level class dropper off the Mike Maker claim. He exits a quickly
run contest and should benefit from his initial outing at Saratoga.
9TH Adriano never received the running room necessary while
caught in cramped quarters throughout the stretch. He was beaten about
one-length and probably would have won with a clean trip.