|
|
SARATOGA DAILY NOTEBOOK WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2005 by Dick Powell Hazy, hot and humid weather forecasts usually are followed by the "chance of afternoon thunderstorms" caveat. On Wednesday at Saratoga, all three elements were in place and fans got to see their first Pick 6 with an off-the-turf event being declared an "All" race under new wagering rules in New York. Heavy rain hit the track today in between the 5TH and 6TH races. The 7TH, originally intended to be run on the inner turf course going a mile, was switched to the wet main track. With the Pick 6 pool already closed, the 7TH became an "All" race. With the Pick 6 being hit on Monday for $69K, there was no carryover going into today's card and with only one race carded after the switch was made, the new carryover rules were not applicable. Had their been a carryover into Wednesday, the carryover would have been paid off since only one race was taken off the turf. If two or more races are taken off the turf, then the carryover is held back and carried over to the next day's races. Today's Pick 6 paid $1,600 even with the 7TH race being an "All" race and I don't think anyone can really complain about the payoff. The favorite did win the 7TH, so under the old system you would have had the favorite with all the scratches but at least you didn't have to anticipate the race being switched in your advance handicapping. The New York Breeding and Development Program couldn't have gotten any more positive publicity than from today's Cal Calloway New York Stallion Stakes, a $250,000 event for New York-sired three-year-olds that had only seven in the field. Tomorrow's 3yo filly counterpart, the Statue of Liberty, has attracted only six. Tom Bush has been an overnight sensation on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit the last few years. But, like most overnight sensations, Bush has been around a long time and more than paid his dues. He was Mike Hushion's top assistant for years before going out on his own and has enjoyed great success. On Wednesday, Bush sent out GOLD AND ROSES (Gold Token), who toyed with the field before pulling away to 6 3/4-length win over Galloping Grocer, providing Bush with his biggest payday yet. The 3RD race was a juvenile maiden event for males going five furlongs. They may not be Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez, but Steve Asmussen and Jerry Bailey combined to win their third race of the meet - all juveniles - when DOC O DYNAMITE (Successful Appeal) went gate to wire to win by 2 1/4 lengths. The dark bay colt covered the distance in :58.95. Second time starter Political Force (Unbridled's Song) did not show the speed he did last out and rallied to be a non-threatening second for Allen Jerkens and Jose Santos. You may not have heard of FREUD (Storm Cat), whose first offspring are racing this year, but he had a big effect on the 4TH race with four entrants. Grade 2 stakes-placed in Europe, Freud is a full-brother to the great GIANT'S CAUSEWAY (Storm Cat), who is off to a huge start at stud with multiple classic winners in Europe from his first crop. Brought to New York by Becky Thomas and Lewis Lakin and standing at Lakland Farm North in Hudson, Freud was the sire of a three-part entry of homebreds that were trained by three different trainers. Even though his initial stud fee was only $5K, you knew his offspring could run when they hit the juvenile sales this year and many brought six figures. Race 4 was a juvenile filly maiden turf event going two turns and the betting public made Summer Palace (Freud) the favorite at 8-5. She cost $300,000 earlier this year at Fasig-Tipton Calder. The Lakin-owned entry went off at just over 3-1 and at one point in the stretch it looked like they were going to sweep the board. MY INTERPRETATION (Freud) wound up winning it by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:42.83, an excellent time for juvenile going two turns here on the turf and one of the five fastest times in the last 10 years. Entrymate Interpretation (Freud) wound up third, and Freud added $32,200 in sire earnings, which will move him up the first-crop sire lists. In yesterday's preview, I thought that UNIBRIDLED SUNSHINE (Untuttable) had a shot to speed pop in the 9TH race. Edgar Prado did his job by gunning to the front on the muddy track and despite Miami Princess' (Parade Ground) late charge, we won the head bob at a $16.20 mutuel, the only double-digit payoff (from the flat races) on an afternoon dominated by short-priced winners. Horses to Watch 4TH - HOMERETTE (Grand Slam) ran evenly in her turf debut for Pat Kelly who usually races them into shape and deserves another shot on the grass. 6TH - VOLCANIC GLOW (Sweetsouthernsaint) is a one-dimensional closer who shipped in from Finger Lakes, but he caught a sloppy track that favored speed and can be played back in a similar spot. Thursday's Best Plays 4TH - We got beat with the highly-touted, Steve Margolis-trained Somethinaboutbetty (Forestry) a week ago, but we're going right back with SLEW PEG (Fusaichi Pegasus) on Thursday. Training up a storm for Margolis at Churchill and Saratoga, the juvenile filly makes her career bow and is a half to two stakes winners, including Slew Gin Fizz, who loved it here. 9TH - Linda Rice sends out PRECISE MOTION (Precise End) off a sharp win last out and he gets a major rider switch to John Velazquez.
 Send this article to a friend
|
|
