SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 5, 2013
by John Mucciolo
A slew of marquee races closed out the final week of racing at the
spectacular meeting at Saratoga Race Course.
Woodward S. (G1): Godolphin Racing’s homebred ALPHA (Bernardini)
waltzed to the early lead, was confronted near midstretch and gamely held sway
under the wire to earn a head tally under John Velazquez. The four-year-old
colt, who won the Travers (G1) here in 2012, sped nine panels on the sloppy,
sealed main oval in 1:49 1/5 for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin.
Hopeful S. (G1): Robert Baker and Bill Mack’s STRONG MANDATE (Tiznow)
gathered momentum prior to the turn for home and poured it one late with a
convincing 9 3/4-length romp for conditioner D. Wayne Lukas. The juvenile colt
was tons the best in going seven furlongs over the muddy, sealed main surface in
1:23 2/5 with Jose Ortiz in the silks.
Spinaway S. (G1): Treadway Racing Stable’s SWEET REASON (Street
Sense), an explosive maiden winner here last time out, showed that same powerful
turn of foot in blowing this field away late by 5 3/4 lengths. The Leach
Gyarmati trainee splashed her way home in 1:23 2/5 over the sloppy, sealed main
strip beneath Alex Solis.
Forego S. (G1): Drawing Away Stable and trainer David Jacobson’s
STRAPPING GROOM (Johannesburg) dueled on the front end early, opened up a nice
lead approaching the turn for home and gamely held off a classy closer in
posting an upset under Junior Alvarado. The six-year-old handled the sloppy,
sealed oval just fine in clocking seven-eighths in 1:22 1/5.
Bernard Baruch H. (G2): Mark Bacon and Dana Wells’ SILVER MAX (Badge
of Silver) took his customary spot on the lead early and the Dale Romans charge
was never seriously challenged late in posting a two-length win over this small
field. The in-form four-year-old colt picked up his second straight stakes score
when going 1 1/16 miles in 1:42 1/5 over the yielding ground with Robby
Albarado.
With Anticipation S. (G2): Rosedown Racing’s homebred BASHART (War
Front) seized the lead soon after the start from his rail post and was never
headed in posting 1 1/4-length decision under Javier Castellano. The Todd
Pletcher pupil stopped the teletimer in 1:41 4/5 on the firm outer turf oval as
the second choice.
Saranac S. (G3): Fred Allor’s homebred FIVE IRON (Sharp Humor) broke
on top from the rail and never gave way en route to a 2 1/2-length score for
trainer Brian Lynch. The sophomore colt, who was guided home by Luis Saez,
endured nine panels on the “good” turf course in 1:48 1/5.
Track Stats
A total of 64 races were held at the Saratoga Springs, New York, venue, with
favorites winning at a 28 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 52 percent of the wins during the week. From 41 races on the main oval, 13
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (32 percent), while seven of the 23 races on
the lawn were taken all the way on the front (30 percent).
It was fairly obvious that speed was golden on the lawn the past few weeks,
especially in route races, where all seven wire jobs this week occurred (four on
the inner and three on the outer). It was not just pacesetters, but also horses
tracking in second and third that were winning.
The main oval was a bit of a mystery during the week, but we did notice one
unusual trend. On Saturday and Monday, main-track races early in the card were
taken by deep closers, but as the card progressed on each of those days, speed
became especially good. We’re not sure if it’s the case of a drying-out track or
not, but it is something to surely put in the memory bank for the 2014 meeting.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 419 | |
| DIRT: | 212 | |
| TURF: | 207 | |
| FAVORITES: | 132 (32 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 87 (20 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 44 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 54 (24 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/28)
4TH — FLASH FORWARD (Curlin) put in a superb late run to draw off against
this decent field by more than eight lengths for conditioner Dominick Schettino.
The sophomore filly finished up her final three panels in a solid :37 for a
sophomore miss and she appears to have a bright future who could be graded
stakes bound in the near future.
6TH — MISS NARCISSIST (Freud) exploded to the front end early and never
looked back en route to a 2 1/2-length maiden tally for trainer Linda Rice. The
juvenile miss, who threw a fit at the gate and didn’t fire at first asking,
looked like a different animal today and will be very tough with expected
progression throughout the year.
Thursday (8/29)
4TH — STAR HARBOUR (Indian Charlie) was surely at his best in this claiming
spot, rolling home a powerful 12-length romper for Bill Mott. The five-year-old
was claimed by Nicholas Esler out of the race and will be especially tough right
back if he comes close to repeating that 1:14 3/5 final time for the 6 1/2
furlongs.
Friday (8/30)
7TH — FANCY BOSS (Street Boss) took the lead approaching the turn for home
and never looked back after posting a dominant 4 3/4-length win beneath Abel
Lezcano. The Gary Contessa charge came home swiftly under mild encouragement to
give this barn a second debut winner on the card. This one appears to have a
bright future.
Saturday (8/31)
2ND — Second-time starter FINANCIAL MOGUL (Street Boss) thrived on the off
going for trainer Richard Violette, rolling home late to post a daylight score
under Jose Ortiz. The juvenile colt exited a “key” race at first asking and gave
the impression of a horse who could appreciate extra ground as he develops.
3RD — Trainer Shug McGaughey doesn’t win with first time starters all that
often, so we have to give a long look to HONOR CODE (A.P. Indy), who went
last-to-first in winning by a widening 4 1/2 lengths beneath Velazquez. The
juvenile colt is bred to be a star, and judging by this effort, the
Kentucky-bred just may turn out to be one.
10TH — Alpha might be a bit inconsistent and not always up to the challenges
against the best of his generation, but the four-year-old has now pulled off an
historic Jim Dandy-Travers-Woodward treble. He deserves a lot of love for it.
FLAT OUT (Include) ran his eyeballs out in staying closest and just missing
late behind the lone pacesetter, and we love the way the Mott pupil has
performed this campaign at the age of seven.
Sunday (9/1)
7TH — RECEPTA (Speightstown) was well-bet in her debut for James Toner and
she showed why, rolling home a fine, four-length winner under Alvarado. This
barn doesn’t get a slew of debut sprint winners, so when they do, we take extra
notice and will tab this lass an exciting prospect.
A Look Ahead
The action will shift to Belmont Park starting this weekend.