Saratoga Race Course Week #7 Discussion.....
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Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
From Nyra site:
Grade 2 winner Zivo will make his return to the races on Friday at Saratoga Race Course in the $100,000 Evan Shipman at 1 1/8 miles for New York-breds 3 years old and up.
In the care of the meet's leading trainer, Chad Brown, Zivo will run for the first time since last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic, in which he finished eighth, beaten 10 ½ lengths. The Thomas Coleman homebred had a successful campaign in 2014 that was highlighted by a five-race win streak culminating in a three-length triumph in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. The son of obscure sire True Direction also finished second in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont and fourth in the Grade 1 Woodward at the Spa.
Jose Ortiz will take the mount aboard Zivo, and the pair will depart from outermost post 6.
Trainer Gary Sciacca will send out the hard-knocking Saratoga Snacks, who is coming off a win in the Saginaw Stakes on July 18 at Belmont Park. A 6-year-old son of Tale of the Cat, Saratoga Snacks is 2-for-4 in 2015, having won a New York-bred allowance race in addition to his Saginaw score. Through 21 career starts, the bay ridgling has a record of 9-4-4 with earnings of $652,000. He will be ridden again by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, and the duo will depart from post 4.
Empire Dreams will return to New York-bred company after finishing eighth in the Alydar Stakes on August 9 at the Spa. Gelded at the start of his 4-year-old season, Empire Dreams has a win and two second-place finishes on the year, with his lone victory coming in the Commentator Stakes on May 25 at Belmont, in which he defeated Saratoga Snacks by three-quarters of a length.
Trained by Tom Albertrani for West Point Thoroughbreds, Empire Dreams will be ridden by Manny Franco from the rail.
Rounding out the field are Sea Raven, fifth in a first-level allowance race last out; Gridley Here, third in the Saginaw two starts ago; and Royal Posse, winner of a New York-bred optional claimer in his latest outing.
Grade 2 winner Zivo will make his return to the races on Friday at Saratoga Race Course in the $100,000 Evan Shipman at 1 1/8 miles for New York-breds 3 years old and up.
In the care of the meet's leading trainer, Chad Brown, Zivo will run for the first time since last year's Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic, in which he finished eighth, beaten 10 ½ lengths. The Thomas Coleman homebred had a successful campaign in 2014 that was highlighted by a five-race win streak culminating in a three-length triumph in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park. The son of obscure sire True Direction also finished second in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont and fourth in the Grade 1 Woodward at the Spa.
Jose Ortiz will take the mount aboard Zivo, and the pair will depart from outermost post 6.
Trainer Gary Sciacca will send out the hard-knocking Saratoga Snacks, who is coming off a win in the Saginaw Stakes on July 18 at Belmont Park. A 6-year-old son of Tale of the Cat, Saratoga Snacks is 2-for-4 in 2015, having won a New York-bred allowance race in addition to his Saginaw score. Through 21 career starts, the bay ridgling has a record of 9-4-4 with earnings of $652,000. He will be ridden again by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, and the duo will depart from post 4.
Empire Dreams will return to New York-bred company after finishing eighth in the Alydar Stakes on August 9 at the Spa. Gelded at the start of his 4-year-old season, Empire Dreams has a win and two second-place finishes on the year, with his lone victory coming in the Commentator Stakes on May 25 at Belmont, in which he defeated Saratoga Snacks by three-quarters of a length.
Trained by Tom Albertrani for West Point Thoroughbreds, Empire Dreams will be ridden by Manny Franco from the rail.
Rounding out the field are Sea Raven, fifth in a first-level allowance race last out; Gridley Here, third in the Saginaw two starts ago; and Royal Posse, winner of a New York-bred optional claimer in his latest outing.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
Also from Nyra.com:
West Point Thoroughbreds' Commanding Curve, runner-up to California Chrome in last year's Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, joined trainer Dallas Stewart's Saratoga string Monday morning in advance of his next assignment in Saturday's Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward.
The 1 1/8-mile Woodward for 3-year-olds and up will be the third race at Saratoga for Commanding Curve, who was ninth in the Grade 1 Travers after finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy last summer.
"We actually entered him in an allowance race at Indiana that didn't go. To me, the horse is ready to run," Stewart said. "He's been working great. His works have been just awesome. He needs to run. It's a big purse, a great race, and we know the horse is capable of stepping up on a big day. It's a tough race."
Other horses pointing to the Woodward are four from trainer Todd Pletcher - Coach Inge, Liam's Map, Mylute and Protonico - along with Bay of Plenty and the Jimmy Jerkens-trained pair of Effinex and Wicked Strong. Tonalist is possible.
Commanding Curve has two wins and $605,034 in earnings from 12 starts, two of them this year. He returned from a nine-month layoff to win an entry-level allowance May 30 at Churchill Downs, then was seventh in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes August 1.
"He actually had a small, small chip removed out of one ankle, which was very insignificant. We just wanted to freshen him up and give him time off. He's been in training a long time. He's fit. He's ready to go. You can't just sit on the sidelines; you've got to get in there," Stewart said.
"His last race he had a lung infection, but it has since cleared up," he added. "It did take a little while, so it was pretty severe. He scoped good the last couple of times. It's time to run."
Grade 1 Ballerina winner Unbridled Forever left Saratoga Monday morning headed for Kentucky on the same plane that carried Triple Crown champion and Travers runner-upAmerican Pharoah and Grade 1 Travers winner Keen Ice. Stewart said she is likely to train up to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint October 31 at Keeneland.
The seven-furlong Ballerina was the second win this summer at the Spa for Unbridled Forever, following the August 5 Shine Again Stakes. Her last previous race was the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff last October.
"She's good. She is going to Churchill to get ready for Breeders' Cup," he said. "She ran back basically in three weeks, and those are her only two races of the year. We might just keep her fit. I don't know if she needs to run again before then if we're going to keep her sprinting. You're talking 60 days between races. We're thinking about it."
Preakness runner-up Tale of Verve is also headed back to Kentucky following his eighth-place finish in the Travers under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens.
"He's very good. Gary said he just can't pick his feet up and get going on these heavy tracks," Stewart said. "In the Belmont, Gary rode him in both places and his evaluation is he just can't run on these sandy tracks. We're going to freshen him up a little bit, probably run him in an allowance race at Keeneland where he's won, and keep moving forward. He's healthy, very good, very sound, so we've got something to work with."
* * *
Currently tied for fourth in the trainer standings with Hall of Famer Bill Mott as of Monday morning, Rudy Rodriguez is quietly having a successful meet at the Spa with 12 winners from 62 starters, good for a strike rate of 19 percent.
"We've been very lucky," said Rodriguez. "All of our staff is working very hard. I have to give a lot of credit to my assistant, Jose, who is doing an amazing job. We're working very, very hard, and I think hard work pays off. It's very special. You're with the [best of the best]. We're doing a good job and hopefully we continue doing it. It's hard work, but we're not afraid to work."
Rodriguez, who scored his first Grade 1 victory at the Spa with Condo Commando in last year's Spinaway, picked up his first stakes win of the meet in last Friday's $250,000 Albany for New York-breds with Good Luck Gus. The son of Lookin At Lucky tracked the pace along the rail in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds before inching clear in the stretch to prevail by a half-length.
"He came back good. We're very happy with the way he came back and the way he ran," said Rodriguez, who trains Good Luck Gus for Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables. "We've always liked him. We gave him some time off over the winter and it paid off. This was the race I wanted to win with him."
At the beginning of the meet, Rodriguez nearly picked up a victory in the Grade 3 Sanford with Magna Light, but the 2-year-old colt was disqualified to third after crossing the wire first. The son of Magna Graduate is expected to make his next start in the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful on closing day at the Spa.
"He's training very good. He had a very good work the other day," said Rodriguez. "He's coming along the right way. I know the race is going to be tougher than the [Sanford], but we'll see."
Having won at five furlongs in his debut at Belmont Park and carrying his speed well at six furlongs in the Sanford, Rodriguez is optimistic his colt will handle the added ground in the seven-furlong Hopeful.
"He's a big horse. I think he'll be OK," he said. "We're going to try to run him seven-eighths, then we have [the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne on October 3 at Belmont] at a mile. We're going to take it one step at a time. If he doesn't look like he wants seven-eighths then we'll regroup and go three-quarters.
"I'm happy with the way he's coming into the race. We want to keep the horse fresh, and maybe go to the Breeders' Cup," Rodriguez added.
* * *
Honors Stable Corp.'s Wildcat Red emerged well from his fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Forego, and trainer Jose Garoffalo is considering keeping the multiple graded stakes winner in New York for another start.
"He's very good. He came back in very good shape," Garoffalo said. "There were no issues after the race. He's eating good and happy as usual. We're very happy with the race and happier with the way he came back."
Garoffalo mentioned both the Grade 1, $400,000 Vosburgh September 26 at Belmont Park, as well as the $100,000 Lafayette Stakes October 29 at Keeneland, as possible stops. Both for sprinters 3 and up, the Vosburgh is six furlongs and the Lafayette seven furlongs.
"We'll see what is the next step. I have a couple of options," he said. "I'm going to stay here one more week and we'll see what we're going to do. Probably we'll stay here and go to Belmont Park, but it depends. If we run at Keeneland, I'm going to go back to Florida and then we'll send the horse from Florida. We still have time to make a decision."
Based at Gulfstream Park, Garoffalo takes another shot at a Saratoga stakes this weekend with Horse Owners Development's Sky Gold in Sunday's Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress for 3-year-old filly sprinters. She will be his third career starter at the Spa and second after Wildcat Red, who also fifth in last year's Grade 1 King's Bishop.
Sky Gold is a daughter of Successful Appeal, who won three times at Saratoga: a maiden victory in 1998, the then-Grade 3 Amsterdam in 1999, and then-Grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt in 2000. She breezed five furlongs over the main track August 28 in 1:01.05, and will be ridden in the Prioress by Cornelio Velasquez.
"She did it very good, very easily, so the plan is to run in the Prioress," Garoffalo said. "She came out of the work very good. She just galloped today. I gave her a couple of days off after the breeze and she came out of it full of herself. We're ready for the race. One more week here. And, it's nice to be here."
* * *
A field of six promising 2-year-old fillies has lined up for Thursday's $100,000 P.G. Johnson run at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon turf course at Saratoga.
Three fillies are coming out of the same maiden race on August 9 at the Spa won by the Todd Pletcher-trained Thrilled. Owned by Michael Tabor, Thrilled sat in sixth early before launching a rail rally to get up by a nose over P.G. Johnson entrants Harmonize and Ava's Kitten, who finished second and third, respectively. Thrilled will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez from post 4.
A bay daughter of Scat Daddy, Harmonize set the pace in her debut on August 9 and opened up on the field in the stretch before succumbing late. The speedy filly is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and will be ridden by Junior Alvarado from the rail.
Ava's Kitten, trained by Chad Brown for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, will look to move forward in her second career start. The Kitten's Joy filly tracked the pace set by Harmonize but failed to find enough kick in the stretch, finishing 1 ¼ lengths behind the top two. She will break from post 5 with Javier Castellano aboard.
Seaside Schiller, a Timber Bay Farm homebred, enjoyed a successful unveiling downstate, breaking her maiden by a length on July 16 at Belmont, and will go two turns for the first time. Trained by Michael Matz, the daughter of Artie Schiller will have the services of Luis Saez from post 3.
Rounding out the field are Finn's Girl, a debut winner at Delaware Park for trainer Graham Motion, and Fooled by Magic, a maiden trained by Kevin Rice.
* * *
Saturday's four graded stakes races are headed by the 63rd running of the Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward, which is expected to attract a talented field of older horses for the 1 1/8-mile race.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has a salty foursome pointing to the Woodward, comprising Coach Inge, the Grade 2 Brooklyn winner who most recently finished third in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap; Liam's Map, whose four-race win streak was snapped in his Grade 1 debut when nailed at the wire by Honor Code in the Whitney; Mylute, who last out closed from last to finish second in the Alydar on August 9; and multiple graded stakes winner Protonico, victorious in the Grade 2 Alysheba on May 1 in his most recent start.
Also targeting the race are Bay of Plenty, who earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 102 for his 2 ¼-length victory over Mylute in the Alydar; Effinex, a winner of three of his last four starts including the Suburban; last year's Grade 1 Travers winner Wicked Strong, fourth in the Whitney; Commanding Curve, most recently seventh in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes; and possibly Tonalist, third as the beaten favorite in the Whitney.
Goldy Espony is expected to put her three-race win streak on the line the Grade 3, $200,000 Glens Falls, taking place immediately following the Woodward on Saturday. The 4-year-old Vespone filly posted three wins from seven starts in her native France before joining Chad Brown's barn last summer. After a light North American campaign in 2014, her 4-year-old year has been flawless, returning in May to win an optional claiming contest at Belmont before posting a 2 ½-length score in the River Memories on July 5. The grey filly wired her competition for the third consecutive time in the Grade 3 Waya on August 8 at Saratoga.
Eastern Belle, White Rose and Evidently, second through fourth, respectively, last time out in the Waya, will look to turn the tables on Goldy Espony in the Glens Falls, held at 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf for fillies and mares 3 and up. Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial winnerCeisteach and Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay runner-up Maximova are also likely. Bocaiuva,Courtesan, and Llanarmon are possible.
Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame winner Takeover Target is likely to headline Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Saranac for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on the Mellon turf course. Trained by Chad Brown, the Harlan's Holiday colt finished a close second to Divisidero in the Pennine Ridge on May 30 at Belmont before posting a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby prior to his Hall of Fame victory at the Spa on August 7.
A close third in the Hall of Fame in his last start, Courtier is likely to take another shot at Takeover Target in the Saranac for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Money Multiplier, Nonna's Boy, Tale of Life, Vision Perfect and World Approval are also expected. Billy's Star andWinter Springs are possible.
On Sunday, 2-year-old fillies take center stage in the 124th running of the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway, a "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Expected for the seven-furlong race are the Todd Pletcher-trained Rachel's Valentina, the daughter of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and Bernardini who won her debut on August 2; her stablemate, Tonasah, most recently second in the Grade 2 Adirondack; Anna Rae, an 11 ½-length maiden winner on August 14; Banree, runner-up in the Grade 3 Schuylerville on opening day; Big Thrill, winner of a 5 ½-furlong off-the-turf maiden event on August 12;Constellation, maiden winner on August 9 for trainer Steve Asmussen; and Tap to It, who rallied from far back to win going six furlongs on August 16.
A talented class of 3-year-old female sprinters will go head to head in Sunday's Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress, including the top two finishers of the Grade 1 Test, Cavorting for Kiaran McLaughlin and Bar of Gold for John Kimmel. Also probable for the race are Grade 2 Davona Dale winner Ekati's Phaeton, Miss Woodford hero Fusaichi Red, as well as Hot City Girl, Paid Up Subscriber, Promise Me Silver and Sky Gold. Irish Jasper and Tricky Zippy are possible.
The Saratoga meet will wrap up with a pair of graded stakes on Labor Day, the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch for older horses on the grass and the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful at seven furlongs for 2-year-olds.
Veteran turf warriors will kick off closing day's stakes action in the Bernard Baruch for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon course, led by Grade 2 Fourstardave runner-up Ironicus for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. The grey Distorted Humor colt earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105 for his last effort, finishing a neck behind Grand Arch. Pletcher is expected to send a pair of contenders in All Included and Charming Kitten, both looking for their first graded stakes victories. Heart to Heart, Under Control and Vyjack are also likely. Seek Again is possible.
The final stakes of the 2015 Saratoga meet will showcase a group of up-and-coming juveniles in the 111th edition of the Hopeful, expected to feature a rematch between the Grade 3 Sanford's top two finishers, Uncle Vinny and Magna Light. Graduation winnerMrazek is probable to make his first start outside of California for Doug O'Neill. Nine-length Mountaineer Juvenile victor Bullet Gone Astray is likely for Henry Collazo. Go Long, Sallisaw,Sticksstatelydude and Tom's Ready are probable for their respective stakes debuts. Set the Trappe is possible.
West Point Thoroughbreds' Commanding Curve, runner-up to California Chrome in last year's Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, joined trainer Dallas Stewart's Saratoga string Monday morning in advance of his next assignment in Saturday's Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward.
The 1 1/8-mile Woodward for 3-year-olds and up will be the third race at Saratoga for Commanding Curve, who was ninth in the Grade 1 Travers after finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy last summer.
"We actually entered him in an allowance race at Indiana that didn't go. To me, the horse is ready to run," Stewart said. "He's been working great. His works have been just awesome. He needs to run. It's a big purse, a great race, and we know the horse is capable of stepping up on a big day. It's a tough race."
Other horses pointing to the Woodward are four from trainer Todd Pletcher - Coach Inge, Liam's Map, Mylute and Protonico - along with Bay of Plenty and the Jimmy Jerkens-trained pair of Effinex and Wicked Strong. Tonalist is possible.
Commanding Curve has two wins and $605,034 in earnings from 12 starts, two of them this year. He returned from a nine-month layoff to win an entry-level allowance May 30 at Churchill Downs, then was seventh in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes August 1.
"He actually had a small, small chip removed out of one ankle, which was very insignificant. We just wanted to freshen him up and give him time off. He's been in training a long time. He's fit. He's ready to go. You can't just sit on the sidelines; you've got to get in there," Stewart said.
"His last race he had a lung infection, but it has since cleared up," he added. "It did take a little while, so it was pretty severe. He scoped good the last couple of times. It's time to run."
Grade 1 Ballerina winner Unbridled Forever left Saratoga Monday morning headed for Kentucky on the same plane that carried Triple Crown champion and Travers runner-upAmerican Pharoah and Grade 1 Travers winner Keen Ice. Stewart said she is likely to train up to the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint October 31 at Keeneland.
The seven-furlong Ballerina was the second win this summer at the Spa for Unbridled Forever, following the August 5 Shine Again Stakes. Her last previous race was the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff last October.
"She's good. She is going to Churchill to get ready for Breeders' Cup," he said. "She ran back basically in three weeks, and those are her only two races of the year. We might just keep her fit. I don't know if she needs to run again before then if we're going to keep her sprinting. You're talking 60 days between races. We're thinking about it."
Preakness runner-up Tale of Verve is also headed back to Kentucky following his eighth-place finish in the Travers under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens.
"He's very good. Gary said he just can't pick his feet up and get going on these heavy tracks," Stewart said. "In the Belmont, Gary rode him in both places and his evaluation is he just can't run on these sandy tracks. We're going to freshen him up a little bit, probably run him in an allowance race at Keeneland where he's won, and keep moving forward. He's healthy, very good, very sound, so we've got something to work with."
* * *
Currently tied for fourth in the trainer standings with Hall of Famer Bill Mott as of Monday morning, Rudy Rodriguez is quietly having a successful meet at the Spa with 12 winners from 62 starters, good for a strike rate of 19 percent.
"We've been very lucky," said Rodriguez. "All of our staff is working very hard. I have to give a lot of credit to my assistant, Jose, who is doing an amazing job. We're working very, very hard, and I think hard work pays off. It's very special. You're with the [best of the best]. We're doing a good job and hopefully we continue doing it. It's hard work, but we're not afraid to work."
Rodriguez, who scored his first Grade 1 victory at the Spa with Condo Commando in last year's Spinaway, picked up his first stakes win of the meet in last Friday's $250,000 Albany for New York-breds with Good Luck Gus. The son of Lookin At Lucky tracked the pace along the rail in the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds before inching clear in the stretch to prevail by a half-length.
"He came back good. We're very happy with the way he came back and the way he ran," said Rodriguez, who trains Good Luck Gus for Michael Dubb and Bethlehem Stables. "We've always liked him. We gave him some time off over the winter and it paid off. This was the race I wanted to win with him."
At the beginning of the meet, Rodriguez nearly picked up a victory in the Grade 3 Sanford with Magna Light, but the 2-year-old colt was disqualified to third after crossing the wire first. The son of Magna Graduate is expected to make his next start in the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful on closing day at the Spa.
"He's training very good. He had a very good work the other day," said Rodriguez. "He's coming along the right way. I know the race is going to be tougher than the [Sanford], but we'll see."
Having won at five furlongs in his debut at Belmont Park and carrying his speed well at six furlongs in the Sanford, Rodriguez is optimistic his colt will handle the added ground in the seven-furlong Hopeful.
"He's a big horse. I think he'll be OK," he said. "We're going to try to run him seven-eighths, then we have [the Grade 1, $500,000 Champagne on October 3 at Belmont] at a mile. We're going to take it one step at a time. If he doesn't look like he wants seven-eighths then we'll regroup and go three-quarters.
"I'm happy with the way he's coming into the race. We want to keep the horse fresh, and maybe go to the Breeders' Cup," Rodriguez added.
* * *
Honors Stable Corp.'s Wildcat Red emerged well from his fourth-place finish in the Grade 1 Forego, and trainer Jose Garoffalo is considering keeping the multiple graded stakes winner in New York for another start.
"He's very good. He came back in very good shape," Garoffalo said. "There were no issues after the race. He's eating good and happy as usual. We're very happy with the race and happier with the way he came back."
Garoffalo mentioned both the Grade 1, $400,000 Vosburgh September 26 at Belmont Park, as well as the $100,000 Lafayette Stakes October 29 at Keeneland, as possible stops. Both for sprinters 3 and up, the Vosburgh is six furlongs and the Lafayette seven furlongs.
"We'll see what is the next step. I have a couple of options," he said. "I'm going to stay here one more week and we'll see what we're going to do. Probably we'll stay here and go to Belmont Park, but it depends. If we run at Keeneland, I'm going to go back to Florida and then we'll send the horse from Florida. We still have time to make a decision."
Based at Gulfstream Park, Garoffalo takes another shot at a Saratoga stakes this weekend with Horse Owners Development's Sky Gold in Sunday's Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress for 3-year-old filly sprinters. She will be his third career starter at the Spa and second after Wildcat Red, who also fifth in last year's Grade 1 King's Bishop.
Sky Gold is a daughter of Successful Appeal, who won three times at Saratoga: a maiden victory in 1998, the then-Grade 3 Amsterdam in 1999, and then-Grade 2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt in 2000. She breezed five furlongs over the main track August 28 in 1:01.05, and will be ridden in the Prioress by Cornelio Velasquez.
"She did it very good, very easily, so the plan is to run in the Prioress," Garoffalo said. "She came out of the work very good. She just galloped today. I gave her a couple of days off after the breeze and she came out of it full of herself. We're ready for the race. One more week here. And, it's nice to be here."
* * *
A field of six promising 2-year-old fillies has lined up for Thursday's $100,000 P.G. Johnson run at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon turf course at Saratoga.
Three fillies are coming out of the same maiden race on August 9 at the Spa won by the Todd Pletcher-trained Thrilled. Owned by Michael Tabor, Thrilled sat in sixth early before launching a rail rally to get up by a nose over P.G. Johnson entrants Harmonize and Ava's Kitten, who finished second and third, respectively. Thrilled will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez from post 4.
A bay daughter of Scat Daddy, Harmonize set the pace in her debut on August 9 and opened up on the field in the stretch before succumbing late. The speedy filly is trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and will be ridden by Junior Alvarado from the rail.
Ava's Kitten, trained by Chad Brown for Ken and Sarah Ramsey, will look to move forward in her second career start. The Kitten's Joy filly tracked the pace set by Harmonize but failed to find enough kick in the stretch, finishing 1 ¼ lengths behind the top two. She will break from post 5 with Javier Castellano aboard.
Seaside Schiller, a Timber Bay Farm homebred, enjoyed a successful unveiling downstate, breaking her maiden by a length on July 16 at Belmont, and will go two turns for the first time. Trained by Michael Matz, the daughter of Artie Schiller will have the services of Luis Saez from post 3.
Rounding out the field are Finn's Girl, a debut winner at Delaware Park for trainer Graham Motion, and Fooled by Magic, a maiden trained by Kevin Rice.
* * *
Saturday's four graded stakes races are headed by the 63rd running of the Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward, which is expected to attract a talented field of older horses for the 1 1/8-mile race.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has a salty foursome pointing to the Woodward, comprising Coach Inge, the Grade 2 Brooklyn winner who most recently finished third in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap; Liam's Map, whose four-race win streak was snapped in his Grade 1 debut when nailed at the wire by Honor Code in the Whitney; Mylute, who last out closed from last to finish second in the Alydar on August 9; and multiple graded stakes winner Protonico, victorious in the Grade 2 Alysheba on May 1 in his most recent start.
Also targeting the race are Bay of Plenty, who earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 102 for his 2 ¼-length victory over Mylute in the Alydar; Effinex, a winner of three of his last four starts including the Suburban; last year's Grade 1 Travers winner Wicked Strong, fourth in the Whitney; Commanding Curve, most recently seventh in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes; and possibly Tonalist, third as the beaten favorite in the Whitney.
Goldy Espony is expected to put her three-race win streak on the line the Grade 3, $200,000 Glens Falls, taking place immediately following the Woodward on Saturday. The 4-year-old Vespone filly posted three wins from seven starts in her native France before joining Chad Brown's barn last summer. After a light North American campaign in 2014, her 4-year-old year has been flawless, returning in May to win an optional claiming contest at Belmont before posting a 2 ½-length score in the River Memories on July 5. The grey filly wired her competition for the third consecutive time in the Grade 3 Waya on August 8 at Saratoga.
Eastern Belle, White Rose and Evidently, second through fourth, respectively, last time out in the Waya, will look to turn the tables on Goldy Espony in the Glens Falls, held at 1 3/8 miles on the inner turf for fillies and mares 3 and up. Grade 3 Robert G. Dick Memorial winnerCeisteach and Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay runner-up Maximova are also likely. Bocaiuva,Courtesan, and Llanarmon are possible.
Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall Of Fame winner Takeover Target is likely to headline Saturday's Grade 3, $300,000 Saranac for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on the Mellon turf course. Trained by Chad Brown, the Harlan's Holiday colt finished a close second to Divisidero in the Pennine Ridge on May 30 at Belmont before posting a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby prior to his Hall of Fame victory at the Spa on August 7.
A close third in the Hall of Fame in his last start, Courtier is likely to take another shot at Takeover Target in the Saranac for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Money Multiplier, Nonna's Boy, Tale of Life, Vision Perfect and World Approval are also expected. Billy's Star andWinter Springs are possible.
On Sunday, 2-year-old fillies take center stage in the 124th running of the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway, a "Win and You're In" race for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Expected for the seven-furlong race are the Todd Pletcher-trained Rachel's Valentina, the daughter of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and Bernardini who won her debut on August 2; her stablemate, Tonasah, most recently second in the Grade 2 Adirondack; Anna Rae, an 11 ½-length maiden winner on August 14; Banree, runner-up in the Grade 3 Schuylerville on opening day; Big Thrill, winner of a 5 ½-furlong off-the-turf maiden event on August 12;Constellation, maiden winner on August 9 for trainer Steve Asmussen; and Tap to It, who rallied from far back to win going six furlongs on August 16.
A talented class of 3-year-old female sprinters will go head to head in Sunday's Grade 2, $300,000 Prioress, including the top two finishers of the Grade 1 Test, Cavorting for Kiaran McLaughlin and Bar of Gold for John Kimmel. Also probable for the race are Grade 2 Davona Dale winner Ekati's Phaeton, Miss Woodford hero Fusaichi Red, as well as Hot City Girl, Paid Up Subscriber, Promise Me Silver and Sky Gold. Irish Jasper and Tricky Zippy are possible.
The Saratoga meet will wrap up with a pair of graded stakes on Labor Day, the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch for older horses on the grass and the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful at seven furlongs for 2-year-olds.
Veteran turf warriors will kick off closing day's stakes action in the Bernard Baruch for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on the Mellon course, led by Grade 2 Fourstardave runner-up Ironicus for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey. The grey Distorted Humor colt earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 105 for his last effort, finishing a neck behind Grand Arch. Pletcher is expected to send a pair of contenders in All Included and Charming Kitten, both looking for their first graded stakes victories. Heart to Heart, Under Control and Vyjack are also likely. Seek Again is possible.
The final stakes of the 2015 Saratoga meet will showcase a group of up-and-coming juveniles in the 111th edition of the Hopeful, expected to feature a rematch between the Grade 3 Sanford's top two finishers, Uncle Vinny and Magna Light. Graduation winnerMrazek is probable to make his first start outside of California for Doug O'Neill. Nine-length Mountaineer Juvenile victor Bullet Gone Astray is likely for Henry Collazo. Go Long, Sallisaw,Sticksstatelydude and Tom's Ready are probable for their respective stakes debuts. Set the Trappe is possible.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
From Bloodhorse:
If horses on the list of probable starters all show up, the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) atSaratoga Race Course could prove very interesting.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has four under consideration for the 1 1/8-mile Woodward, including Teresa Viola Racing Stables'Liam's Map, who came very close to wiring the field in the Aug. 8 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) in an excellent effort. The Unbridled's Song colt, who has four wins and two seconds in six starts, was nailed at the finish by Honor Code, who earlier this year captured the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I).
Pletcher also has Coach Inge, who finished third in the Suburban Handicap (gr. II) in his last start; Mylute, second in the Alydar Stakes behind Bay of Plenty; andProtonico, who won the Alysheba Stakes (gr. II) in his most recent start in May.
Bay of Plenty is on the list of probable starters, as is Suburban winner Effinex; Wicked Strong, who finished fourth in the Whitney; and Commanding Curve, seventh in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes in his last start.Tonalist, third in the Whitney, is listed as a possible starter.
If horses on the list of probable starters all show up, the Sept. 5 Woodward Stakes (gr. I) atSaratoga Race Course could prove very interesting.
Trainer Todd Pletcher has four under consideration for the 1 1/8-mile Woodward, including Teresa Viola Racing Stables'Liam's Map, who came very close to wiring the field in the Aug. 8 Whitney Handicap (gr. I) in an excellent effort. The Unbridled's Song colt, who has four wins and two seconds in six starts, was nailed at the finish by Honor Code, who earlier this year captured the Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I).
Pletcher also has Coach Inge, who finished third in the Suburban Handicap (gr. II) in his last start; Mylute, second in the Alydar Stakes behind Bay of Plenty; andProtonico, who won the Alysheba Stakes (gr. II) in his most recent start in May.
Bay of Plenty is on the list of probable starters, as is Suburban winner Effinex; Wicked Strong, who finished fourth in the Whitney; and Commanding Curve, seventh in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes in his last start.Tonalist, third in the Whitney, is listed as a possible starter.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
Weds 9/2
R1 Win #1 , facing tougher this time but 2nd NA start and 2nd Lasix could improve a bit and would've won last if not for trouble on last two jumps.
R5 Win #9 (15-1 ML) 2nd off layoff , dirt to turf, not a strong field, #9 has back turf sprints that fit with these but those were state bred MSW this is rock bottom state bred maiden claimers
R1 Win #1 , facing tougher this time but 2nd NA start and 2nd Lasix could improve a bit and would've won last if not for trouble on last two jumps.
R5 Win #9 (15-1 ML) 2nd off layoff , dirt to turf, not a strong field, #9 has back turf sprints that fit with these but those were state bred MSW this is rock bottom state bred maiden claimers
YoungGun11
Collaborating w/ Tip
Anyone post todays card?
Gandolf
Leader of the Van Buren Boys
That was Race 3, sorry.
Lloyd Braun
Pretty much a regular
And then a $50 winner
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
Thurs 9/3
R2 #5 could win , goes turf to dirt for Chad and prior two dirt races were in state bred stakes company but did have good setups in those races...#4 is 2nd off layoff after racing wide throughout in last, winner and 2nd place finisher then ran 2nd and 3rd in Albany Stakes, according to Trakus he ran 17 feet more than winner and 26 feet more than place horse, Cancel/Bond duo have teamed up to win two races in last three racing days.
R4: you really should watch replay of #2 Finn's Girl (Del 8/4 R4) she looked great in her debut, didn't have the best trip and not a fast pace to run into, 2nd place finisher was stalking, show horse was speed and looked to be getting away, but Finn's Girl was able to close and win going away while running green through stretch, powerful late run, she could be very good, BC Juvenile Filly Turf good.
R2 #5 could win , goes turf to dirt for Chad and prior two dirt races were in state bred stakes company but did have good setups in those races...#4 is 2nd off layoff after racing wide throughout in last, winner and 2nd place finisher then ran 2nd and 3rd in Albany Stakes, according to Trakus he ran 17 feet more than winner and 26 feet more than place horse, Cancel/Bond duo have teamed up to win two races in last three racing days.
R4: you really should watch replay of #2 Finn's Girl (Del 8/4 R4) she looked great in her debut, didn't have the best trip and not a fast pace to run into, 2nd place finisher was stalking, show horse was speed and looked to be getting away, but Finn's Girl was able to close and win going away while running green through stretch, powerful late run, she could be very good, BC Juvenile Filly Turf good.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
R5 appears wide open if you can get past likely favorite, drop down from MSW #8, who also could be the speed in here but short price and going 6.5F off long layoff in an open race, I'll try to beat her using prices...#1,4,9,10....#1 has back dirt races vs better company, last three races were on turf and are throw out races, #4 also turf to dirt and drops in class, two back was a key race..#9 I'm treating like a 1ster, broke on rail in debut usually not good, now adds Lasix and Terranova has had a solid meet..#10 is Jacobson off the claim, he's 4/13 with a positive ROI L5 years off claim going turf to dirt with cutbacks, now adds blinkers and attracts Irad.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
R6:
#5 had a tough trip in last
#10 was part of a fast pace in debut, adds blinkers which could sharpen his speed today, possibly lone speed
#1 1ster with a couple solid works, same owner/trainer won with 1ster on Weds and have won with 1sters towards end of meet in past at Spa 12-1 ml
#3 trainer plenty capable 1sters, great turf sprint trainer, 3 for 5 current meet, dam produced 3 foals/2 have won including a turf winner, 20-1 ml
#4 also 20-1 ml 1ster for capable trainer
Irad gets on #8 a 1ster for Rudy , 10-1 ml
#7 debuts for Motion is a half to 6 winners from 7 that have raced
If #11 draws in from AE list will be filly vs colts
#5 had a tough trip in last
#10 was part of a fast pace in debut, adds blinkers which could sharpen his speed today, possibly lone speed
#1 1ster with a couple solid works, same owner/trainer won with 1ster on Weds and have won with 1sters towards end of meet in past at Spa 12-1 ml
#3 trainer plenty capable 1sters, great turf sprint trainer, 3 for 5 current meet, dam produced 3 foals/2 have won including a turf winner, 20-1 ml
#4 also 20-1 ml 1ster for capable trainer
Irad gets on #8 a 1ster for Rudy , 10-1 ml
#7 debuts for Motion is a half to 6 winners from 7 that have raced
If #11 draws in from AE list will be filly vs colts
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
When capping R7 another must watch replay is #4's last race, Belmont 7/19 R3..goes off the claim and gets Johnny V for owner that has done well at current meet. 7/19 race - steady and check repeatedly backside, shuffled to last was able to move up along the inside just to encounter even more traffic stretch to wire, all of that and still only missed by 1 length.
If turf is still playing to speed like it has been and if these jocks want to continue to just let someone get out to the front and stay there...I guess we'll have to look at #8 who could be the lone speed.
If turf is still playing to speed like it has been and if these jocks want to continue to just let someone get out to the front and stay there...I guess we'll have to look at #8 who could be the lone speed.
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
Also very live in R6 for Dubb off the claim, back to turf sprinting and those seem to be her best races
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
Now let's cash this thing, Go #3 or #12 in R10
Lloyd Braun
Pretty much a regular
Good weekend :cheers3:
Gandolf
Leader of the Van Buren Boys
Friday thoughts (good card today)
Race 1
#1 - FTS with Euro jock Kieren Fallon scheduled to ride for Wesley Ward, who knows how to get firsters ready. Has a nice turf pedigree and sports a blistering 46&4 workout under a hold and from the gate last Saturday. Debuting in a turf sprint is usually a tough sell but this one sticks out. A level.
#2 - Another firster, so-so pedigree, dam sire not very precocious. Trainer usually doesn't have them cranked first time out, works are good but nothing eye popping. Pass.
#3 - The last FTS, nice pedigree, trainer has a +ROI with firsters and can hit a price with the turf debut. Connections are hot and the last work was rated well. At 15-1 he wants a B level.
#4 - Mott goes with John V here. Goes from two turns back to sprint is a plus in terms of fitness. Effort 2 back at six furlongs wins this. A level.
#5 - Switches from dirt to grass, Jerkens is 1 for 28 trying this. Four times a place finisher in five races, has run into some good horses like Tommy Macho, Daredevil and Proven Commodity. Willing to let a horse like this beat me in this spot.
#6 - 2nd time starter, put in a good debut 3 weeks ago at this level and distance. Improvement is often greatest from the first to second start, and that would make him interesting. B level.
#7 - Lukewarm 3/1 favorite in this 7 horse field. Broke slow and gave the field 5 lengths, but then ran on well in what was a seasonal debut off on 11 month layoff. Ended up only losing by 3 lengths. A sharper break and some improvement 2nd off the layoff and he'll be right in the mix. Lezcano rides here instead of for Mott, not sure if that was his choice or not. Should be OK, but not flashy, so I'll use defensively as B level.
A - 1,4
B - 3,6,7
Race 1
#1 - FTS with Euro jock Kieren Fallon scheduled to ride for Wesley Ward, who knows how to get firsters ready. Has a nice turf pedigree and sports a blistering 46&4 workout under a hold and from the gate last Saturday. Debuting in a turf sprint is usually a tough sell but this one sticks out. A level.
#2 - Another firster, so-so pedigree, dam sire not very precocious. Trainer usually doesn't have them cranked first time out, works are good but nothing eye popping. Pass.
#3 - The last FTS, nice pedigree, trainer has a +ROI with firsters and can hit a price with the turf debut. Connections are hot and the last work was rated well. At 15-1 he wants a B level.
#4 - Mott goes with John V here. Goes from two turns back to sprint is a plus in terms of fitness. Effort 2 back at six furlongs wins this. A level.
#5 - Switches from dirt to grass, Jerkens is 1 for 28 trying this. Four times a place finisher in five races, has run into some good horses like Tommy Macho, Daredevil and Proven Commodity. Willing to let a horse like this beat me in this spot.
#6 - 2nd time starter, put in a good debut 3 weeks ago at this level and distance. Improvement is often greatest from the first to second start, and that would make him interesting. B level.
#7 - Lukewarm 3/1 favorite in this 7 horse field. Broke slow and gave the field 5 lengths, but then ran on well in what was a seasonal debut off on 11 month layoff. Ended up only losing by 3 lengths. A sharper break and some improvement 2nd off the layoff and he'll be right in the mix. Lezcano rides here instead of for Mott, not sure if that was his choice or not. Should be OK, but not flashy, so I'll use defensively as B level.
A - 1,4
B - 3,6,7
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
#7 could be the speed, broke slow in last vs horses that ran 1-2 around the track.
#3 could be live at a price, 15-1 ml . 1ster from live debut sire, turf breeding is certainly there as dam is half to Strut The Stage and 2nd dam is half to Chief Bearhart
Gandolf
Leader of the Van Buren Boys
Race 2 - scratch of #9 leaves a weak field of 9 with 8 betting interests. Class drops, fitness (with the extra half furlong), potential improvement are the buzz words here.
#1/1A - 1A had a bumpy start in his debut race which was at this level. Could improve but it would need to be a sharp move up. #1 has been dropping down the ladder and missed by 6+ lengths at this level last time.
#2 - Mid-Atlantic shipper is 0 for 5, 0 for 3 in maiden races that were likely of lower quality than here. But this jockey/trainer combo is HIGHLY dangerous here, 3 for 3 with average price of 11/1 at the Spa this meet!
#3 - Turnback for a barn that's 0 for 19 this meet, and a jockey that's 3 for 63. Not much to like.
#4 - First time starter who would normally get a long look in a subpar field like this, but Lerman is 0 for 34 with firsters, the Sire only hits on 7% first timers and the workouts are quite poor.
#5 - Favorite has a steep class drop today, ran 2nd to DeKalb County two back at 50k at this distance. They tried him on turf last time at a mile and he showed a sprinter's style going to the lead and fading the last quarter mile. Definite A level, but not unbeatable.
#6 - Four year old ran once as a 2YO and was eased, then faded at a mile and was dropped into claiming ranks, where he ran competitively (3rd, 2nd, 5th and 2nd by a head) and was bumped back into the maiden class, where he lost 3 straight by double digits. After an eight month break they run him back at the Spa at this level and he's a no show. His best speed numbers last summer are the best in the field, but after 3 straight dud races you have to assume he's broken. A shame because at 20/1 I'd really like to use him somehow.
#7 - 2nd choice is another class dropper, also goes back to dirt for a quality trainer in Stall. Hasn't run much yet but in this group he fits as a B level choice.
#8 - This horse is the poster child for the "why is this horse in this race?" crowd. Just one dirt start for this 6 year old who's been trying to earn a living as a jumper, but has only finished one of his last 6 races since 2014. HOF trainer Sheppard has good percentage on route to sprint and 1st maiden claiming, but how many were former jumpers? Too strange not to include at 15/1 as a B level.
A - 5 B - 7,8
#1/1A - 1A had a bumpy start in his debut race which was at this level. Could improve but it would need to be a sharp move up. #1 has been dropping down the ladder and missed by 6+ lengths at this level last time.
#2 - Mid-Atlantic shipper is 0 for 5, 0 for 3 in maiden races that were likely of lower quality than here. But this jockey/trainer combo is HIGHLY dangerous here, 3 for 3 with average price of 11/1 at the Spa this meet!
#3 - Turnback for a barn that's 0 for 19 this meet, and a jockey that's 3 for 63. Not much to like.
#4 - First time starter who would normally get a long look in a subpar field like this, but Lerman is 0 for 34 with firsters, the Sire only hits on 7% first timers and the workouts are quite poor.
#5 - Favorite has a steep class drop today, ran 2nd to DeKalb County two back at 50k at this distance. They tried him on turf last time at a mile and he showed a sprinter's style going to the lead and fading the last quarter mile. Definite A level, but not unbeatable.
#6 - Four year old ran once as a 2YO and was eased, then faded at a mile and was dropped into claiming ranks, where he ran competitively (3rd, 2nd, 5th and 2nd by a head) and was bumped back into the maiden class, where he lost 3 straight by double digits. After an eight month break they run him back at the Spa at this level and he's a no show. His best speed numbers last summer are the best in the field, but after 3 straight dud races you have to assume he's broken. A shame because at 20/1 I'd really like to use him somehow.
#7 - 2nd choice is another class dropper, also goes back to dirt for a quality trainer in Stall. Hasn't run much yet but in this group he fits as a B level choice.
#8 - This horse is the poster child for the "why is this horse in this race?" crowd. Just one dirt start for this 6 year old who's been trying to earn a living as a jumper, but has only finished one of his last 6 races since 2014. HOF trainer Sheppard has good percentage on route to sprint and 1st maiden claiming, but how many were former jumpers? Too strange not to include at 15/1 as a B level.
A - 5 B - 7,8
Gandolf
Leader of the Van Buren Boys
Race 3 - short field of 7 on the grass, which continues to play well to the front half of the field.
#1 won for fun last out as Irad took control on the far turn and ran off. Takes up small step up but is capable, as most of Chad's horse are. A level.
#3 - Slight favorite over the 1 won her first two impressively then got nipped late in her last at this level. Will be forward placed and the slight cutback in distance should help. A level.
#4 - 6 for 43 mare who's shown some early speed but has poor form of late. Is 0 for 4 at the Spa, figures to be outmatched here by the favorites.
#5 - Potential live longshot who's been competitive at this level but comes from a cold barn. Last race was caught wide on both turns. Before that was twice bet to less than 2/1 at this level. At 10/1 now she's worth a look as a B.
#8 - Worth a bet last time at this level at 37/1, but a 8/1 not so much. Is 0 for 9 in 2015, 0 for 2 at Spa, 0 for 2 at level. Running line comments show a fade 9 times out of 10.
#9 - Class level for this one seems a cut below the others. 3 for 41 lifetime, 1 for last 17 since 2014 and that win was on dirt. Occasionally can close well so worth an exotics look at the price, but winning would be a big surprise.
#10 - Outmatched in terms of class and affinity for the distance. Gyarmati got her back in May and she ran better but still even at this level. Good recent workout, could improve, but still would be a surprise against the more likely contenders.
A - 1,3 B - 5
#1 won for fun last out as Irad took control on the far turn and ran off. Takes up small step up but is capable, as most of Chad's horse are. A level.
#3 - Slight favorite over the 1 won her first two impressively then got nipped late in her last at this level. Will be forward placed and the slight cutback in distance should help. A level.
#4 - 6 for 43 mare who's shown some early speed but has poor form of late. Is 0 for 4 at the Spa, figures to be outmatched here by the favorites.
#5 - Potential live longshot who's been competitive at this level but comes from a cold barn. Last race was caught wide on both turns. Before that was twice bet to less than 2/1 at this level. At 10/1 now she's worth a look as a B.
#8 - Worth a bet last time at this level at 37/1, but a 8/1 not so much. Is 0 for 9 in 2015, 0 for 2 at Spa, 0 for 2 at level. Running line comments show a fade 9 times out of 10.
#9 - Class level for this one seems a cut below the others. 3 for 41 lifetime, 1 for last 17 since 2014 and that win was on dirt. Occasionally can close well so worth an exotics look at the price, but winning would be a big surprise.
#10 - Outmatched in terms of class and affinity for the distance. Gyarmati got her back in May and she ran better but still even at this level. Good recent workout, could improve, but still would be a surprise against the more likely contenders.
A - 1,3 B - 5
Gandolf
Leader of the Van Buren Boys
:cheers3:
Play2win
Mod by Monday Morning
I wish I did that all meet
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