SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 4, 2014
by John Mucciolo
A slew of graded racing topped the closing week at Saratoga Race Course.
Woodward S. (G1): Laurie Plesa et al’s ITSMYLKUCKYDAY (Lawyer Ron) pressed
in second early, got on even terms with the pacesetter in the lane and gamely
got up by late by a half-length. Trained by Eddie Plesa, the classic-placed
four-year-old colt endured 1 1/8 miles on the fast main strip in 1:48 4/5 with
Paco Lopez in the silks.
Hopeful S. (G1): Michael Tabor et al’s COMPETITIVE EGDE (Super Saver) forced
the tempo while widest early on, took command at the top of the lane and cruised
to a facile 5 3/4-length score for Todd Pletcher. The highly rated juvenile ran
his mark to two-for-two after getting seven furlongs on the “good” main oval in
1:24 with John Velazquez.
Spinaway S. (G1): Michael Dubb et al’s CONDO COMMANDO (Tiz Wonderful) broke
slowest, rushed up to the lead soon after, and poured it on late in posting a 13
1/4-length tour-de-force under Joe Bravo. The Rudy Rodriguez trainee, who romped
over maiden claiming foes in her debut at this venue, stayed perfect from two
runs in finishing off seven-eighths in 1:24 3/5.
Forego S. (G1): Antonio Miuccio’s PALACE (City Zip) continued his superb
winning ways with a facile 3 1/2-length victory for trainer Linda Rice. The
five-year-old former claimer finished up seven panels on the fast main oval in
1:21 4/5 with Cornelio Velasquez riding.
Prioress S. (G2): Stoneway Farm’s STONETASTIC (Mizzen Mast) took the lead
soon after the break and never looked back in posting an 8 1/2-length romp for
trainer Kelly Breen. The three-year-old filly sped home six panels on the fast
main oval in 1:08 4/5 with Lopez.
Bernard Baruch H. (G2): Morton Fink’s homebred two-time defending Horse of
the Year WISE DAN (Wiseman’s Ferry) swung to the lead in midstretch and held off
a stern challenger late en route to posting a nose victory under John Velazquez.
The sublime Charles Lopresti trainee finished a tick off the stakes record in
getting 1 1/16 miles in a wicked 1:39 over the firm turf.
With Anticipation S. (G2): Klaravich and Lawrence’s STARTUP NATION (Temple
City) was last early but gained momentum approaching the turn for home and
exploded in the lane in a most impressive tally under Joel Rosario. The juvenile
colt from the barn of Chad Brown finished off 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in
1:41 3/5.
Saranac S. (G3): St Elias Stable’s and West Point Thoroughbreds’ RING
WEEKEND (Tapit) tracked while close, took a shot lead in early stretch and
pulled away late in a fine 2 3/4-length stakes tally. The gelded sophomore went
nine panels on the turf labeled “good” in 1:46 2/5 for Graham Motion and
Velazquez.
Glens Falls S. (G3): Robert S Evans’ IRISH MISSION (Giant’s Causeway) saved
ground to the top of the lane and surged once clear late to post a half-length
tally in this marathon for conditioner Christophe Clement. The five-year-old
mare went 1 3/8 miles on the firm lawn in 2:15 with Velazquez in the controls.
Track Stats
A total of 65 races were held at the Saratoga Springs, New York venue, with
favorites winning at a 34 percent rate and the top two betting choices combining
for 60 percent of the wins during the week. From 30 races on the main oval, 14
animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (47 percent), while five of the 35 races on
the lawn were taken all the way on the front (14 percent).
Speed was very good on the main oval, obviously, and best over the weekend
for sure. From Saturday through Monday, 10 runners led at every call from 19
races on the main strip at Saratoga. All but one of those were in one-turn
races.
Congrats to conditioner Todd Pletcher and pilot Javier Castellano, for
winning their respective jockeys’ and trainers’ titles at the Saratoga meeting.
Mike Repole won a very tight owners’ race, with 12 wins from 34 starters at the
meeting.
Meet Totals
| RACES: | 413 | |
| DIRT: | 220 | |
| TURF: | 193 | |
| FAVORITES: | 139 (34 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 98 (24 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 39 (20 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 65 (30 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/27)
3RD — PARTISAN POLITICS (More Than Ready) moved to the fore nearing
midstretch and powered home a convincing 2 3/4-length winner in this impressive
outing. The Chad Brown pupil really looked the part late in this spot and could
be evolving into a fine turf performer.
Thursday (8/28)
3RD — OFFERING PLAN (Spring at Last) gave Brown another smart juvenile on
the lawn with a huge closing run to take this one going away at first asking.
The dark bay colt should be really tough with fellow New York-bred foes and
likely also with open ones.
5TH — Startup Nation might be the best of the Brown juveniles we saw on the
lawn this week, and that is saying something. The colt has a punishing turn of
foot and can likely match strides with most at this stage of his development.
Friday (8/29)
9TH — The George Weaver-trained MY SUPER NOVA (Super Saver) led deep into
the stretch and was just run down late in a fine debut run. The juvenile filly
should be graduating before long.
11TH — Gulfstream import ZINDAYA (More Than Ready) showed no signs of rust
off the long break in rolling home a fine maiden winner on the lawn today. The
sophomore lass has speed and a turn of foot, and will be a force to be reckoned
with when facing winners next time.
Saturday (8/30)
2ND — EASY COMPARISON (Street Sense) showed improved early foot and hung
around until very late when second to a nice one in this dash, and the Graham
Motion pupil could be a decent little prospect going forward.
4TH — EL KABEIR (Scat Daddy) sent notice that he will be a juvenile to watch
after this superb 10 3/4-length graduating run under Irad Ortiz Jr. The John
Terranova trainee was fast early and came home swiftly as well, despite being
under moderate urging in the final furlong.
11TH — PRAYER FOR RELIEF (Jump Start) doesn’t win races of this nature all
that often, but the six-year-old loves to run a route of ground and we have a
hunch he will be in the right place at the right time and win one of these
marquee events.
Sunday (8/31)
7TH — FEATHERED (Indian Charlie) was easily the best in this field and looks
like a stakes type for Todd Pletcher. The second timer burned money at first
asking when second, and came back with a huge run to make easy work of this
field. We expect the bay to be capable at two turns, as well.
Monday (9/1)
4TH — I SPENT IT (Super Saver) had little chance with the winner while in
between runners early on, but the Tony Dutrow-trained colt was more than nine
lengths clear while in second and lost nothing to us after this effort. The colt
has overcome adversity on a few occasions and is a very talented runner with a
bright future.
7TH — READY FOR RYE (City Zip) made a fine run at the loose on the lead
winner who was 3-5 odds, and finished a nice second for a conditioner who rarely
wins first out of the box. The Tom Albertrani trainee might be graduating next
time and could be a nice one going forward.
A Look Ahead
The action moves to Belmont Park, starting on Friday.