SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 5, 2009
by Albie Johnson
The 2009 meet is already heading into its final week with all eyes focused
on Rachel Alexandra’s (Medaglia d’Oro) attempt to beat males again this Saturday
in the Woodward S. (G1). Seven older horses will line-up against her as she tries to
become the first distaffer to win the prestigious event.
Exciting race for the leading trainer award will probably come down to the
final card of the 36-day session with Todd Pletcher and Linda Rice tied with 16
wins apiece through Wednesday, though Pletcher had started 55 more
runners than his main rival. Rice has had every one of her wins come in either a
turf contest or a race that had been switched to the main-track, with no wins
coming in a scheduled dirt race, while Pletcher has had only two grass wins with
14 coming on the main surface.
As far as the jockey’s race, Ramon Dominguez has a 38-32 margin over Alan Garcia heading into the final five cards.
WEEKLY RECAP
Wednesday (8/26)
A pair of non-graded stakes highlighted the card, the Albany for three-year-old
state-breds and the Pleasant Colony for open sophomore runners, with both coming
at a distance of 1 1/8 miles.
Earlier this year, FIDDLER’S AFLEET (Northern Afleet) was shipped to
California for a series of three races after showing a lot of promise last
season at two facing fellow state-breds. Although he didn’t win any, he ran
competitively in two of three, both in added money events.
Brought back east during the early summer, he was impressive in winning an
allowance at Belmont in his return and was made the favorite in the Albany
facing five rivals. Bay colt went right to the front and was prompted into fast
fractions early and after shaking clear midway on the far turn, he repulsed a
serious midstretch challenge by Slevin (Belong to Me) to prevail by a neck.
Strong ride by leading jock Dominguez probably made the difference for this Mike
Hushion trainee.
Earlier on the card, SUMO (Fusaichi Pegasus) looked sharp in winning the
Pleasant Colony as he was well-placed by jockey Jeremy Rose behind a pair of
dueling leaders, swung out just before the quarter-pole and drew off to a five-length score over Guam Typhoon (Distorted Humor).
Colt had showed some promise earlier this year when second in the
Sam B. Davis (G3) at Tampa and was working sharply for trainer Graham Motion in Delaware for his
second start back off a four-month layoff.
Horses to Watch:
7TH — Both TIZ BRIAN (Tiznow) and STRICTLY SOCIETY (Golden Missile) ran well
in this five-furlong maiden contest for juveniles. The former was making his
debut for trainer Steve Asmussen and pressed a fast pace before driving clear in
early stretch only to be out-finished late by a more experience rival. Nice
initial run as colt held gamely for the place spot.
The latter had a poor break and after racing wide the whole trip rallied
late to finish third. Effort came off a four month gap after he had debuted at
Keeneland in late April.
Both colts shouldn’t be long in winning.
Thursday (8/27)
Featured event was the New York Turf Writer’s Cup (NSA-G1), a steeplechase event
that was conducted over 10 fences.
The favored Slip Away (Skip Away) opened a huge early advantage but had given it
up entering the far turn for the final time and “left the course” when a beaten
runner at that point. At about the same time, SPY IN THE SKY (Thunder Gulch) was
launching a rally from well back and appeared the winner from that point on as
long as he was able to clear the 10th and final fence, which he did en route to a final margin of 10 1/4 lengths. Winner was the longest price on the
board at just over 20-1.
Veteran Jim Day trains the winning gelding and Liam McVicar was aboard.
Horses to Watch:
2ND — Heavy favorite TEN CARROT NIKKI (Gold Token) chased a fast pace and
eventually fought her way to a slight lead but the early exertion took its toll
and she tired late to finish fifth. Filly was facing a field of males and can
probably beat her own sex at this tag ($25,000)
6TH — Making his first start since his debut at Keeneland in the spring, BIGSHOT (Limehouse) was moving to the turf and stretching-out in distance. Colt
had to steady early and launched a strong late bid while well out in the track
to be beaten a neckon the wire. He looks like one with a bright future.
Friday (8/28)
Day was highlighted by the Bernard Baruch H. (G2) for older runners at a
distance of 1 1/8 miles on the inner turf course. Race favorite was the
exciting JUSTENUFFHUMOR (Distorted Humor), who was attempting to remain undefeated
on the turf. Contest looked like a two-horse number on paper and played out that
way with Cowboy Cal (Giant’s Causeway) the clear speed and Justenuffhumor
expected to employ his strong closing tactics.
“Cal” reached the front as they
hit the backstretch and opened up a two length lead on the turn while setting
fast splits. As they approached the three-eighths pole, the public choice began his
rally and race began in earnest turning for home. “Cowboy” was still well clear
in midstretch but was run down in the last sixteenth by Justenuffhumor, who edged clear
by a half-length at the wire as the 4-5 choice. Bay four-year-old colt ran his slate to a perfect
six for six on turf and
continues to do things in a very professional manner.
Darley-owned runner is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and stable rider Alan
Garcia was aloft.
Five races earlier on the card, the Funny Cide, a 1 1/8-mile contest for
older runners, was contested and another betting favorite proved best. FUTURE
PROSPECT (Freud), who has improved dramatically since a switch to the barn of
Mike Maker early this year, set/pressed a fast pace from start-to-finish and dug
in for something extra when he looked beaten in deep stretch to prevail by a
neck over veteran Naughty New Yorker (Quiet American), with Dr. D. F. C. (Personal
Flag) another nose back in third. A strong ride by Rajiv Maragh helped get the
job done and the young rider continues to impress with a fine sense of pace and
the ability to “coax” a bit of late energy from his mounts.
As a side note, with his second-place finish, Naughty New Yorker passed the
$1 million mark in career earnings.
Horses to Watch:
2ND — Making her first start since her debut here in 2008, SHINE SOFTLY (Albebaran) was well prepared off the layoff by trainer Jimmy Toner as she
stalked early, bid to a clear advantage in midstretch, and lasted over the fast-closing Adjacent (Boundary), who ran well making a belated debut at a tough
distance.
Saturday (8/29)
Large crowd was on hand through inclement weather as the Travers S. (G1), aka
the “Midsummer Derby,” headed a card with that included four other graded events.
With Rachel Alexandra “opting” for the Woodward, a field of seven sophomores
entered the gate in the $1 million contest headed by Belmont S. (G1) winner
SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone), Jim Dandy (G2) winner Kensei (Mr. Greeley), and recent
track-record breaker Quality Road (Elusive Quality), who had set the mark for 6
1/2
furlongs in the Amsterdam (G2) earlier in the meet.
Early pace was fast for the 10-furlong distance over a track labeled sloppy. Kensei
was in front entering the far turn but was unable to shake clear and done by the
top of the stretch. Meanwhile, Summer Bird was racing outside of Quality Road and kept
that rival pinned-down on the inside the whole race before launching what
proved to be the winning move approaching the three-eighths pole. Chestnut colt was in
front before they straightened away and proved best by 3 1/2 lengths over the fast-closing Hold Me Back (Giant’s Causeway), with Quality Road another 1
1/2 lengths
away in third.
Winner was “much the best” on this day and apparently has the Jockey Club
Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont on October 3 on his agenda as the year begins to wind
down.
Nice training job by Tim Ice and a textbook ride by Kent Desormeaux enabled
the colt
to pick up the $600,000 winner’s share.
Of the also-rans, Hold me Back is a solid runner who still seems to be
developing, while Quality Road may not want any part of 10 furlongs again.
One race earlier on the program, a field of three-year-old sprinters and middle-distance
specialists squared off in the King’s Bishop S. (G1) at seven furlongs. Contest
featured a fast/contested pace with eventual first-place finisher Vineyard Haven
(Lido’s Palace [Arg]) part of a group of four that battled for the lead. Rating off the
pace came both Munnings (Speightstown) and CAPT. CANDYMAN CAN (Candy Ride [Arg]).
“Haven” won the front-end war and drew clear in midstretch before a serious
late challenge came from the “Capt.” The two fought it out to the wire with the
pacesetter drifting out twice under left-handed pressure and soundly “bumping”
his rival before finishing a head in front. Munnings another 4
1/2 lengths back in the show spot.
A stewards inquiry was quickly posted along with a jockey’s objection, and the
only question with those who saw the “head-on shot” was why it took the stewards
more than five minutes to reverse the decision. Disqualification was an obvious one and
the right horse was placed first.
The winner is a very solid runner who remained undefeated
(for for four) at the often-demanding seven-furlong distance. Ian Wilkes trains
the talented
gelding and Jesus Castellano contributed a patient ride.
Of the others, Vineyard Haven looks to have a bright future. Colt won the
Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1) last year and raced here off a six-month absence
after being shipped to the Middle East by Godolphin Racing. Nice training job by
Saeed bin Surror to have him ready off the lengthy break.
Munnings raced “bogged down” on the inside after breaking from the rail and had
little choice as he either had to be sent hard or try and make one run. Colt did
well to finish third.
A small field of five fillies and mares competed in the Ballerina (G1) with
the race on paper being a three-horse contest between MUSIC NOTE (A.P. Indy),
female sprint champion
Indian Blessing (Indian Charlie) and multiple Grade 1 heroine Informed Decision (Monarchos), who was
seeking her sixth win in a row.
The latter pair were involved in an early pace duel with the former rating just
behind them saving ground on the rail. As they approached the head of the lane, Music Note slipped through on the inside of Indian Blessing and the race was
over as the filly drew off to a 5 1/4 length win. “Indian” held off Informed
Decision by a length for the place spot.
The winner was making only her second start since last year and hadn’t been sharp in
her seasonal debut. Another Godolphin runner, she won three Grade 1s during
her sophomore season, the Mother Goose, CCA Oaks and Gazelle, while being
beaten a head in another, the Alabama, at the Spa. Suroor also trains this
filly and Maragh made the right move going up the rail instead of
trying to circle around the leaders.
Indian Blessing’s career is probably nearing its end, and Informed Decision
is not best being utilized up and on the pace.
In the day’s only graded turf stakes, the Ballston Spa (G2), a field of seven headed
by multiple graded winners Rutherienne (Pulpit) and Cocoa Beach (Chi) (Doneraille Court) was contested on a course labeled
“soft.”
The pace collapsed on the far turn and it looked like the aforementioned pair, along with My Princess Jess (Stormy Atlantic), would battle it out to the wire
when from “out of the clouds” came SALVE GERMANIA (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) with a furious late rush to nail Rutherienne in the last stride, with both
“Jess” and “Cocoa” not far behind.
The most unlikely winner on paper, the German- and French-raced
filly had only a maiden win on her resume and was the longest shot on the board.
No doubt her winning trainer Waldemar Hicks was probably delighted with the
wet conditions as most Europeans tend to relish moisture
on the turf course.
Three-year-old fillies took to the track earlier on the card in the Victory
Ride S. (G3), a six-furlong contest run on the “sloppy” main track. Field came
up very light for a Grade 3 and was dominated by the two best runners on paper,
SARA LOUISE (Malibu Moon) and Bold Union (Dixie Union).
The latter set all the pace and initially resisted the former, who had ranged up in
midstretch, and Sara Louise pushed by late to prevail by two lengths on the wire with
Bold Union hanging on gamely for the place position.
Winner is yet another from Godolphin Racing and was prepared to win off a 10-month layoff by Suroor. Filly was a private purchase late
late in 2008 following a victory in the Pocahontas (G3) and a runner-up in the Golden Rod (G2), both on the
Churchill main-track. She’s the last horse to beat Rachel Alexandra, doing so in
the Pocahontas.
Horses to Watch:
8TH — A very impressive debut by the Bob Baffert-trained BULLDOGGER (Dixie
Union) as colt broke running from his rail post, put away a tepid challenge on
the turn and proceeded to draw off a 6 1/2-length score, stopping the clock in
1:10.07 for the six panels. Juvenile will probably go right into a stakes next out.
Sunday (8/30)
Beautiful early fall day was highlighted by the Personal Ensign (G1), a 1 1/4-mile
contest for older fillies and mares. A field of eight faced the starter and once
again the public settled on the right filly, ICON PROJECT (Empire Maker), who
turned the race into a one-horse affair.
She moved up outside of the leaders as they hit the far turn and easily assumed
command at the top of the stretch, drawing away to a 13 1/2-length win.
Swift Temper (Giant’s Causeway), who had defeated the winner in the Delaware H. (G2) on July 19, proved no match today, but was well clear of the rest of
the field in second.
Marty Wolfson trains the repatriated four-year-old filly, who raced in France earlier in
her career and looks to have a very bright future ahead of her.
Of the vanquished, I’d be surprised if the talented Unbridled Belle (Broken
Vow) isn’t retired as the two-time winner of the Delaware H. is nearing
seven-years-old and is but a shadow of her former self.
Horses to Watch:
2ND — Making his debut, state-bred BACKCOUNTRY BOY (Smarty Jones) chased a
much the best winner from start-to-finish and gamely held down the place spot .
Homebred from the fine Chester and Mary Broman operation should win when the
actions shifts back to Belmont.
Monday (8/31)
The featured contest was the state-bred Saratoga Dew S. and in an exciting
three-horse “blanket” photo, DEAN HENRY (Empire Maker) proved a head better
than Yet Again (Catienus), and it was a similar margin back to My Dinah (Victory
Gallop) in the nine-furlong main-track event.
Longshot winner is trained by Tom Albertrani, and Maragh picked up yet
another win.
Horses to Watch:
4TH — PLATINUM (Mineshaft) made it three in a row with a wire to wire score in the Mollie Wilmot
S., accomplishing the task in very easy fashion.
As is her style, she went right to the front in the nine furlong event, doled
out modest fractions and drew off under mild encouragement.
Homebred from Peter Blum is trained by Jimmy Jerkens, and Dominguez was
basically along for the ride.
Upcoming stakes
(9-4) the With Anticipation (G2) two-year-olds one-mile
(turf)
(9-5) the Woodward (G1) 3&up 1 1/8th miles
(9-5) The Forego (G1) 3&up 7 furlongs
(9-6) the Spinaway (G1) two-year-old fillies 7 furlongs
(9-6) the Saranac (G3) three-year-olds 1 3/16ths miles (turf)
(9-7) The Hopeful (G1) two-year-olds 7 furlongs
(9-7) the Glens Falls Hdcp. (G3) F&M 1 3/8ths miles (turf)
Have a nice Week!!