SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
AUGUST 29, 2013
by John Mucciolo
The Travers Stakes headlined a monstrous weekend of racing
at Saratoga Race Course.
Travers S. (G1): Willis Horton’s WILL TAKE CHARGE (Unbridled’s Song) tracked
in fifth to the top of the lane, picked up momentum in the stretch and got the
bob late to post a huge score for trainer D. Wayne Lukas. The three-year-old
colt was a nose clear on the wire in finishing off 1 1/4 miles on the fast main
dirt course in 2:02 3/5.
King’s Bishop S. (G1): Eclipse Thoroughbreds’ CAPO BASTONE (Street Boss) was slow
into stride but moved into contention at the top of the lane and ran down a
clear leader en route to a two-length win at odds of 28-1 for conditioner Todd
Pletcher. The three-year-old colt sped his seven-eighths on the fast main
surface in 1:22 1/5.
Ballerina S. (G1): Susan Wantz’s DANCE TO BRISTOL (Speightstown) took a short
lead in midstretch and gamely held all foes at bay in posting a half-length win
for conditioner Ollie Figgins III. The four-year-old filly notched her first
Grade 1 win in finishing off seven panels on the fast main oval in 1:23.
Personal Ensign S. (G1): Dual champion ROYAL DELTA (Empire Maker) took the lead
prior to the half-mile marker and was never seriously challenged thereafter in
posting a stylish 4 1/2-length score for conditioner Bill Mott. The superb
five-year-old mare finished off 1 1/8 miles on the fast main oval in 1:48 1/5
beneath pilot Mike Smith.
Test S. (G1): Steve Beneto’s SWEET LULU (Mr. Greeley) overtook the
pacesetter at the top of the lane and held off a pair of stout challenges in the
lane to remain unbeaten from four lifetime starts for trainer Jerry
Hollendorfer. The ultra-talented sophomore filly got her seven furlongs on the
fast main oval in 1:23 2/5 under Julien Leparoux.
Ballston Spa H. (G2): Richard Santulli’s LAUGHING (Ire) (Dansili) took the
lead soon after the start and was all heart in the lane to post neck victory
under Jose Lezcano. The five-year-old mare, who is trained by Alan Goldberg,
strode 1 1/16 miles on the firm inner turf in 1:40 1/5 to earn a second straight
graded win at this venue.
Track Stats
A total of 64 races were held over the Saratoga Springs, New
York, venue, with favorites winning at a 39 percent rate and the top two betting
choices combining for 61 percent of the wins during the week. From 29 races on
the main oval, nine animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (31 percent), while 11
of the 35 races on the lawn were taken all the way on the front (35 percent).
The turf oval was very kind to speed and front runners all
week, with 11 horses going all the way on the front. We have witnessed this in
the past but it had yet to come out at this particular meeting until the last
four days of racing. Seven of those 11 came in route races on the inner lawn,
while the other four came on the outer turf course (two sprints, two routes).
We thought the main oval played pretty fairly all week; if
anything speed was a bit better Saturday through Monday. From 29 main-track
races, just a trio of winners came home breaking from wider than post 6.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 355 | |
| DIRT: | 171 | |
| TURF: | 184 | |
| FAVORITES: | 114 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 72 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 37 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 41 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/21)
4TH — SAYAAD (Street Sense) returns to this list after a
tour-de-force tally in this stakes spot, leading throughout in a dominant
front-running score. The sophomore colt finished off a mile on the firm turf in
a swift 1:33 3/5, just a tick off the stakes mark. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has
a nice one.
Thursday (8/22)
4TH — SANDCAT (D’wildcat) tracked the pacesetter to the
top of the lane, took a short lead in midstretch and powered home a two-length
winner at first asking under Junior Alvarado. The John Kimmel-trained
juvenile colt could be a nice one and evolve into a stakes runner following this
impressive tally.
7TH — SKY PAINTER (Street Cry) put in a big late run
and wore down the short-priced favorite en route to sharp debut score for the
red-hot McLaughlin. The juvenile miss came home fast and could be a nice one
with more experience and expected progression.
Friday (8/23)
1ST — Pletcher unveiled the highly touted HAVANA (Dunkirk)
here, and the favorite did not disappoint in this debut. The juvenile colt
might have been a bit green but still ran big in this winning debut, completing
5 1/2 panels on the fast main strip in a wicked 1:02 3/5. This colt should have a
big future.
KENDALL’S BOY (Sky Mesa) raced in second throughout chasing
this fine winner and shouldn’t be a maiden for long for conditioner Tom Amoss.
2ND — PALACE (City Zip) sat behind a swift and contested
pace early on and drove home a powerful winner beneath Cornelio Velasquez. The
four-year-old colt was very sharp in this one and will be super tough with
anything close to that effort next out.
Saturday (8/24)
2ND — The Pletcher-trained TIZ CHRIS (Tiznow) made a big
run in the lane and just missed in his initial try since the fall. The sophomore
colt fell just a head shy to the favorite who showed quality over this oval
previously, and we’ll tab him for a win in his comeback effort after finishing
more than five lengths clear of third.
3RD — BOBBY’S KITTEN (Kitten’s Joy) ran off early and when
the field came to him it appeared as the Chad Brown charge might be all done,
but the talented juvenile colt had a ton more and drew off like a good thing
late. We have a hunch this youngster could be a monster and expect him to be a
major stakes player in the very near future.
8TH — Grade 1-placed FRAC DADDY (Scat Daddy) was always in
the hunt of this turf route and proved his class late when going away to win
this allowance tilt for conditioner Kenny McPeek. The smart sophomore was sent
off at 7-1 for reasons we are not sure of, but he proved that he could run on
anything with this effort and has a lot of options going forward.
11TH — MENTOR CANE (Mizzen Mast) simply ran too good to
lose and should break through at this level at some point for trainer John
Shirreffs. The lightly raced colt dueled through wicked early splits and didn’t
tire until very late, still finishing well clear of third.
Sunday (8/25)
1ST — TREASURED (Arch) was very live in the wagering and
ran a big one in third in this maiden spot for conditioner James Bond. The
sophomore filly has progressed nicely from a trio of lifetime runs and should
break through soon.
3RD — KNOCKHER OFF (Unbridled’s Song) was sensational in
his grassy debut in his first start of 2013, rolling home with incredible ease
while stopping the teletimer for 5 1/2 furlongs in a strong 1:01 2/5. The gelded
sophomore was under little urging late after this most facile tally, and he
looks like he can be a stakes player with expected progression.
8TH — ZINZAY (Smart Strike) showed good speed, got to even
terms with the pacesetting favorite and got up late in a fine debut win for
conditioner Rusty Arnold, who rarely has them cranked up for their first run.
The juvenile filly raced in what we thought was a fine field of prospects, and
she could be any type going forward.
CROWN QUEEN (Smart Strike), a half-sister to dual champion Royal
Delta, made a visually impressive move entering the lane and finished a fine
third, well clear of fourth under Smith. The Mott first-timer should
have gotten a ton out of this race and will be especially tough next time out
with even slight improvement.
A Look Ahead
The curtain will come down on this fine meeting this
weekend, with closing day on Labor Day Monday. A slew of graded races will be carded at
The Spa, four of which are Grade 1 tilts.
Thursday is the
date of the Grade 2, $200,000 With Anticipation Stakes.
Saturday will play host to the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward
Stakes; Grade 1, $500,000 Forego Stakes; and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard
Baruch Handicap. The Sunday card will be led by the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway
Stakes and the Grade 3, $150,000 Saranac Stakes.
Closing Monday will feature the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful
Stakes and the Grade 3, $150,000 Glens Falls Handicap.