SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 30, 2012
by John Mucciolo
A bevy of top showings headlined the biggest weekend of racing at Saratoga
Race Course.
Travers S. (G1): For the first time in the modern history of this
race, a dead-heat occurred at the finish line. Godolphin’s homebred ALPHA
(Bernardini) and Magic City Thoroughbred’s GOLDEN TICKET (Speightstown) finished
off the 1 1/4 miles at the same exact time, negotiating the 10 furlongs in 2:02
3/5. The tandem was a neck clear of third-placer Fast Falcon (Awesome Again).
Congrats goes out to conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin and pilot Ramon Dominguez
(Alpha), as well as trainer Ken McPeek and jockey David Cohen (Golden Ticket).
Alpha was off as the 2-1 favorite among 11 runners, while Golden Ticket was
overlooked as the ninth choice at 33-1.
Test S. (G1): Natalie Baffert’s CONTESTED (Ghostzapper) rated just off
the pace early, and wore down her main foe in the lane to annex this affair by
two lengths beneath Rafael Bejarano. The Bob Baffert pupil earned her second
Grade 1 win in finishing off the seven panels in 1:22 2/5.
Ballerina S. (G1): Magnier, Smith, et al’s TURBULENT DESCENT
(Congrats) swept to the front in early stretch and powered home a solid 1
1/2-length winner in her debut for trainer Todd Pletcher. The four-year-old
filly finished off seven panels in 1:22 under the guidance of John Velazquez.
King’s Bishop S. (G1): James Riccio’s WILLY BEAMIN (Suave) moved four
wide into the stretch and gamely outdueled a slew of horses to bag his first
career Grade 1 race for trainer Richard Dutrow. The gelded sophomore, who won a
New York-bred stakes race three days earlier at Saratoga, sped seven-eighths on
the fast main oval in 1:22 under Alan Garcia.
Personal Ensign H. (G1): Green Hill Farm’s LOVE AND PRIDE (A.P. Indy)
took a short lead entering the stretch and gamely held off a pair of classy foes
to pull off the upset for conditioner Pletcher. The four-year-old filly endured
nine panels on the main oval in 1:49 1/5 beneath the guidance of John Velazquez.
Ballston Spa S. (G2): Martin Schwartz’s ZAGORA (Fr) (Green Tune) swept
to the lead in early stretch and held a strong late threat at bay in the lane in
posting a smart 1 1/2-length score under Ramon Dominguez. The Chad Brown pupil
went 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in a track mark of 1:39.
Track Stats
A total of 63 races were held at the Saratoga Springs, New York, venue, with
favorites winning at a 40 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 60 percent of the wins during the week. From 28 races on the main oval, four
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (14 percent), while seven of the 35 races on
the lawn were taken all the way on the front (20 percent).
Handicappers had the week pegged until Sunday, as through the first four days
of the week, favorites came through in 22 of 42 races (52 percent). It got a bit
tougher over the final two days, but a fine job by prognosticators.
Speed was never good on this main oval, especially on Saturday when no horse
led at every call. It should be noted that four of the seven winners on the main
oval broke from post eight or wider, as well.
Of the seven who led all the way on the green, five came in route races
(three on the inner), while two came in sprint runs on the outer oval.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 353 | |
| DIRT: | 186 | |
| TURF: | 167 | |
| FAVORITES: | 136 (39 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 67 (19 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 32 (19 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 48 (26 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/22)
2ND — JESS NOT JESSIE (Minardi) won his second race at this meeting, this
time in game fashion, and could possibly try to sneak one more here as the
gelding was not claimed once again.
5TH — BOURBON TWIST (Langfuhr) made a big sweeping move entering the stretch
and powered home a fine debut winner in this one at first asking for conditioner
Chad Brown. The Empire State-bred could be any kind and bears watching next time
out, coming home in a fine :29 3/5.
Thursday (8/23)
6TH — MICO MARGARITA (Run Away and Hide) was a head and a neck shy of
breaking through at first asking in this one, and should be well set up for a
big run in his second lifetime outing for trainer Steve Asmussen.
7TH — LUNAR VICTORY (Speightstown) returns to this list following another
fine showing on this track, this time toppling a field of open foes in allowance
company. The Bill Mott pupil is very good and deserves a shot in a graded race
before long.
Friday (8/24)
1ST — MAGICAL MOON (Malibu Moon) proved that she was ready for her local
debut today, with a most impressive 10 1/4-length romp under Rosie Napravnik.
The Albert Stall Jr. trainee came home in a very fast time and appears to be of
stakes quality.
Saturday (8/25)
2ND — DELHOMME (Dixie Union) broke poorly and went wide turning for home,
running greenly late but still finishing a good second in his lifetime debut.
The long-striding juvenile will likely graduate next time with a clean break,
and possibly with a bit more ground to work with.
5TH — RIGBY (Speightstown) has clearly never been better and handled the
rise in class to the allowance ranks with relative ease in this one for
Asmussen. The five-year-old has posted a pair of superb numbers at this meeting
and could be any kind going forward.
RELOAD (Hard Spun) was a nice second in here despite a bad post and wide
trip, and we will keep a close eye on this consistent performer from the Shug
McGaughey barn.
6TH — WAVE THEORY (Smart Strike) was well placed, appeared to lose a bit of
ground with a wide turn, but came home gamely to just miss in this one for
conditioner Brown. We have a hunch this juvenile filly will turn out to be a
nice one.
FLASHY GAL (Smart Strike) also impressed in here for Brown, making a very big
middle move from last before flattening out in the latter stages. We’ll tab her
for a maiden-breaking score in the very near future.
8TH — OPTIMIZER (English Channel) got back in the win column with a
convincing score here for conditioner D. Wayne Lukas. The sophomore ran fast
every step of the way in this turf marathon and could have found his niche.
10TH — Grade 2 heroine GYPSY ROBIN (Daaher) responded well to the removal of
blinkers in this one, rating in second and finishing well to be second best
here. The sophomore is very talented and versatile on various surfaces, so we
have to think she has some more big engagements ahead of her.
Sunday (8/26)
2ND — SIGN (Pulpit) gave trainer Albert Stall his second superb performer of
the week, both as two-year-old fillies. This lass overcame the rail post and her
seven foes to destroy this field by 11 3/4 lengths under Napravnik. The
Claiborne homebred could be absolutely any kind.
11TH — OWEN RICO (Disco Rico) thrived on the move to the lawn for his second
lifetime start, as he sped clear early and pulled away with ease under Julien
Leparoux. The Tom Bush-conditioned gelding got home in a swift 1:02 1/5 and
should be a major player in his debut with winners.
A Look Ahead
A big closing weekend is on tap with seven graded races. Saturday will play
host to the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward Stakes, the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego
Stakes and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap.
The spotlight on Sunday is on the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway Stakes and the
Grade 3, $150,000 Saranac Stakes, while the Holiday card features the Grade 2,
$300,000 Hopeful Stakes and the Grade 3, $150,000 Glens Falls Handicap on
Monday.