Todd Pletcher and Javier Castellano repeated as the leading trainer and
jockey, respectively, at
Saratoga, with Michael Dubb emerging as the top owner for 2014.
Pletcher, 47, won 28 races, turning back a late challenge from Chad Brown,
who had 23 victories. Hall of Famer Bill Mott was third with 13 wins.
It was the fifth straight H. Allen Jerkens training title for Pletcher, who
has been the Spa’s leading trainer a total of 11 times. This year, Pletcher
swept the Coaching Club American Oaks and Alabama with Stopchargingmaria and
also posted graded stakes wins with Competitive Edge in the closing-day Hopeful
and Fashion Alert in the Schuylerville.
“I thought we had a really good start to the meet. I thought we had some
really big disappointments at the meet; way too many seconds,” Pletcher said.
“At the same time you cannot not be grateful anytime you come to Saratoga and
win 26, 27 races, win the Hopeful, Coaching Club, Alabama and Schuylerville. No
matter how good you do, it could always be better, no matter how bad you’re
doing it could always be worse.”
Castellano edged Irad Ortiz Jr., 58-53 to claim his second consecutive Angel
Cordero Jr. riding crown. Hall of Famer John Velazquez was third with 38 wins.
On August 23, Castellano piloted V. E. Day to a nose victory in the Travers,
becoming only the fifth rider in history to win the Travers four times. He also
won the King’s Bishop with The Big Beast on the Travers undercard, the Coaching
Club American Oaks aboard Stopchargingmaria for Pletcher, and the
Saratoga Special with I Spent It.
“It worked out great. I’m very blessed,” Castellano said. “I’m thankful to
win a lot of races here in Saratoga where I compete against the best jockeys in
the country. It’s a big accomplishment. I had a lot help. All the trainers gave
me the support, all the owners. Now I’m going to be driving to Long Island
tonight with a happy face.”
Dubb and his various partnerships won 14 races, including the Spinaway on
August 31 with Condo Commander. It was the first Saratoga title for Dubb. Repole
Stable was second with 12 wins and Ken and Sarah Ramsey and Chester and Mary
Broman tied for third with 11.
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