SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 4, 2011
by John Mucciolo
A slew of fantastic graded races and performances took place this past week
at Saratoga.
Diana S. (G1): Martin Schwartz’s ZAGORA (Fr) (Green Tune) made a bold
move while wide approaching the final turn and powered home a 1 1/2-length
winner under Javier Castellano. The four-year-old filly finished off nine grassy
panels on the good oval in 1:49 for trainer Chad Brown.
Ruffian S. (G1): Farnsworth Stables’ ASK THE MOON (Malibu Moon) sped
to the front early from her rail post and never looked back in posting an upset
here in her first try for conditioner Marty Wolfson. Claimed for $75,000 two
starts previously, the six-year-old mare strode 1 1/8 miles in 1:50 2/5 on the
fast main oval under Castellano.
Jim Dandy (G2): Repole Stable’s STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini) took command
shortly after turning for home and strode home an impressive, four-length victor
on this occasion for trainer Todd Pletcher. The improving sophomore colt stopped
the teletimer in 1:48 3/5 for the 1 1/8 miles on the main oval under John
Velazquez, stamping himself a major contender for the August 27 Travers (G1) in
the process.
Amsterdam S. (G2): McNeil Stables’ homebred CALEB’S POSSE (Posse) was
last early but overpowered this field late in cruising home a four-length winner
in this dash for trainer Donnie Von Hemel. Piloted by Rajiv Maragh, the talented
sophomore sped 6 1/2 panels in 1:15 4/5. He’s now headed to the King’s Bishop
(G1) on the Travers undercard.
Fourstardave H. (G2): WinStar Farm et al’s newly acquired SIDNEY’S
CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]) led from start to finish at 3-10 odds in posting a 1
1/4-length win under Velazquez. The Pletcher charge went 1 1/16 miles on the
firm lawn in 1:43 1/5.
Lake George S. (G2): Phillips Racing’s homebred WINTER MEMORIES (El
Prado [Ire]) exuded tons of class here with a strong late run to dust these
fillies for trainer James Toner. The ultra-talented sophomore negotiated 1 1/16
miles on the inner turf oval in a sharp 1:41 2/5 under Jose Lezcano.
Track Stats
A total of 59 races were held over the Saratoga Springs, New York, venue,
with favorites winning at a 36 percent rate and the top two betting choices
combining for 54 percent of the wins. From 30 races on the main oval, eight
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (27 percent), and five runners led at every
call on the lawn from 29 races (17 percent).
All but one of the wire jobs on the main strip came in sprint races. We
strongly prefer horses pressing or stalking the early pace in dirt routes over
this tiring oval.
Post position seemed to be irrelevant on the dirt, with 11 winners from post
1-3, 10 winners from post 4-6 and nine winners breaking from wider positions.
Three of the five wire-to-wire winners on the grass came in route events on
the inner oval, with the other pair routing on the outer.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 99 | |
| DIRT: | 54 | |
| TURF: | 45 | |
| FAVORITES: | 34 (34 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 20 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 12 (27 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 15 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (7/27)
2ND — PROTESTING (A.P. Indy) got her final three-eighths in a sharp :36 in
this allowance score and could be stakes-bound soon for Shug McGaughey. The
four-year-old was an easy winner in this one under Velazquez.
3RD — MR. STYLE (Bluegrass Cat) ran into a 1-5 shot here but finished more
than eight lengths clear of third and should win next time with even slight
improvement for conditioner Pletcher.
6TH — WILLET (Jump Start) contested a brutal early pace and hung around late
to finish an excellent second in this debut for conditioner James Iselin. The
sophomore miss was 7 1/2 lengths clear of third under Ramon Dominguez, and has
to be considered a strong threat to graduate at this meet.
8TH — WINTER MEMORIES was awesome in here and is arguably the top sophomore
lass in training. She’s a budding superstar and we don’t think she’ll lose in
2011.
Thursday (7/28)
4TH — BOOTS AHEAD (Storm Boot) was a pretty sharp winner in here and always
runs well at this venue for trainer George Weaver. The gelding came home in a
solid :23 1/5 in this one-mile test.
5TH — The well-bred CRAZY PARTY (A.P. Indy) was well backed at first asking
and deservedly so, as the juvenile filly rolled home a clear winner for Pletcher.
She could be a Breeders’ Cup type.
Friday (7/29)
3RD — It was good to see CONVOCATION (Pulpit) get back to the winners’
circle on this day for trainer Jimmy Jerkens. The five-year-old pressed the pace
and took over readily in early stretch, maintaining a big edge to the wire.
Saturday (7/30)
2ND — GIANT SURPRISE (Giant’s Causeway) was tons the best in here but
unfortunately came out of this race with an injury, and we hope for the best for
this well-bred juvenile. He could be any type if he returns at full strength.
5TH — MONUMENT HILL (Royal Academy) was a clear second in here and we were
surprised that nobody claimed the talented turf runner. The gelding was well
backed when third in a stakes event at Monmouth two back and always fires.
6TH — CAPTAIN WEBB (English Channel) provided Pletcher with yet another
juvenile debuting winner at the meet with a decisive win in this grass test. The
ridgling came home fast and appears to have a stakes-quality turn of foot.
Monday (8/1)
5TH — PRECIOUS SOUL (Distorted Humor) came back on short rest and dusted
this field by more than six lengths for trainer Allen Jerkens, pulling away with
every stride. The well-bred three-year-old filly will likely be facing stakes
foes next time.
A Look Ahead
The $750,000 Whitney H. (G1) is the highlight of the weekend and will be run
on Saturday, along with the $250,000 Test S. (G1) for sophomore fillies.
Sunday’s features are the $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt S. (G1) and $150,000
Honorable Miss H. (G2).