SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 23, 2012
by John Mucciolo
The graded stakes performance of the meeting headlined the weekend of racing
at Saratoga Race Course.
Alabama S. (G1): Godolphin’s homebred QUESTING (Hard Spun) put on
quite a show in this one, flying to the lead, setting wicked early splits, and
never tiring in rolling home a nine-length romper under Irad Ortiz Jr. The
Kiaran McLaughlin pupil completed 1 1/4 miles on the fast main strip in a solid
2:01 1/5; it was a thoroughly scintillating performance.
Sword Dancer Invitational S. (G1): Phipps Stable’s homebred POINT OF
ENTRY (Dynaformer) saved ground to the top of the lane and exploded past this
field in a superb, four-length win for trainer Shug McGaughey. The four-year-old
colt went 1 1/2 miles on the firm turf in 2:26 2/6 beneath John Velazquez.
Lake Placid S. (G2): Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s homebred STEPHANIE’S
KITTEN (Kitten’s Joy) saved ground early and then drove home powerfully when
clear on the outside to bag this one under a fine ride by John Velazquez. The
Wayne Catalano trainee went nine panels on the firm turf in 1:48 2/5 to pick up
another graded tally.
Track Stats
A total of 62 races were held at the Saratoga Springs, New York, venue, with
favorites winning at a 55 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 74 percent of the wins during the week. From 26 races on the main oval, nine
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (35 percent), while eight of the 26 races on
the lawn were taken all the way on the front (22 percent).
We thought both ovals played mostly fair throughout the whole week, with
balanced results each day. We still prefer being close early on the dirt,
especially in route events.
Of the eight wire jobs on the lawn, three came in sprints on the outer oval,
while the other five came on the inner lawn in route races.
A word to the wise — the main strip has been extremely speed favoring on
many occasions in the past for Travers weekend, so keep an eye on speed runners
going forward, especially on Friday and Saturday.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 290 | |
| DIRT: | 158 | |
| TURF: | 132 | |
| FAVORITES: | 111 (38 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 54 (18 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 25 (19 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 44 (28 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/15)
5TH — The classy BRIDGETOWN (Speightstown) was allowed a modest opening
quarter and never looked back in wiring a strong field in this one for trainer
Todd Pletcher, getting 5 1/2 panels on the firm lawn in a wicked 1:01 2/5. The
five-year-old really likes this lawn.
9TH — Trainer Dominic Galluscio made a nice claim of the winning TAKE DOWN
TWO (Not For Love) in this one, who is in fine form and took down a solid field
in this spot. The gelded seven-year-old could be in for a small class rise.
Thursday (8/16)
3RD — SHOW SOME MAGIC (Any Given Saturday) fought off a pair of potentially
talented foes in graduating in this one for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The
juvenile colt has run well in each lifetime try and appears to have a nice
future ahead of him.
MIDNITE POPPA (Unbridled’s Song) made a nice late run from well back to be
third in this debut run for trainer Nick Zito, who is not known for his prowess
with first-time starters. We think this one could turn out to be a nice one with
development.
6TH — STONELESS (Bustin Stones) took a lot of late money in this debut
voyage and didn’t disappoint, rolling home an impressive, 4 3/4-length winner
for trainer Bruce Levine. We’re not sure what the gelding topped in this one,
but he did it the right way and could turn out to be a useful performer.
10TH — LUBASH (Freud) made a huge move approaching the final turn and drove
home a sharp stakes winner in this one for conditioner Christophe Clement. The
five-year-old is in good form and should be very tough right back.
Friday (8/17)
1ST — RUBY LIPS (Hard Spun) lost all chance with a bad break, proceeded to
run greenly nearing the turn for home, and came home with good energy in a most
productive debut try for conditioner Richard Dutrow. We really like this one
going forward, and possibly with more ground to work with.
2ND — MOMENT IN DIXIE (Dixieland Band) didn’t appear to have enjoyed the
stretch out to 1 1/8 miles in here, but still proved her class with a game
runner-up showing here for trainer James Toner. The consistently good sophomore
should be a major player cutting back some in trip next time.
5TH — SHAKEIRA (Freud) didn’t have much time to run in here while buried
along the rail, but exploded inside the final furlong to win this one in sharp
fashion for conditioner Chad Brown. This four-year-old filly continues to flash
ability and could be a stakes performer in a short time.
Saturday (8/18)
4TH — VIOLENCE (Medaglia d’Oro) was very game in running down the clear
leader at first asking in this one for Pletcher, and we give extra credit for
the colt winning at seven furlongs first time out, which is no easy feat. We
have a hunch that this colt will be heard from quite a bit later this season and
into his sophomore campaign with steady progression.
6TH — COLONEL BILL (Friends Lake) easily blew past this field in a second
straight good effort on this lawn. The four-year-old was not claimed out of this
and should be very tough with similar or even slightly better next time out.
7TH — HELLO LOVER (Smarty Jones) was a bit unlucky not to have won this one
and he gave up a few lengths to the winner by going very wide, while the first
placer skimmed the rail. The gelded six-year-old has been in good form for a
while and can’t be ignored next time. The versatile one is proven at one and two
turns.
9TH — Point of Entry has been routinely dominating his foes at the highest
level as of late and is arguably the top distance turf runner in the country. He
is simply awesome right now.
10TH — Questing is now three-for-three since moving to the dirt and is among
the most exciting performers that we have seen in this division in a while.
Sunday (8/19)
1ST — KIMONO (Bernardini) returns to the list following a very easy maiden
score today for Pletcher, winning in much easier fashion than the chart
indicates. We thought highly of this one prior to her debut and not much has
changed here, as we believe she can be a real nice one. We really would like to
see this one stretch out.
Monday (8/20)
7TH — IRISH JADE (Freud) was last early but put in a strong late run to be a
clear second here in a fine first run for conditioner John Terranova. The
juvenile colt will likely not be a maiden for long.
10TH — Canadian invader GRAND RAPPORT (Grand Reward) made a sweeping move to
take the lead turning for home and cruised clear to a 5 1/4-length win under
Ramon Dominguez. The five-year-old gelding looks to be a real nice claim for
trainer Diane Balsamo.
A Look Ahead
A huge weekend, led by the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes, will be on tap
at Saratoga Race Course. Friday will play host to the Grade 1, $500,000
Ballerina Stakes.
The Saturday action, in addition to the Travers, includes the Grade 1,
$500,000 Test Stakes; the Grade 1, $500,000 King’s Bishop Stakes; and the Grade
2, $250,000 Ballston Spa Handicap.
Sunday features the Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign Stakes.