SARATOGA NOTEBOOK
SEPTEMBER 1, 2011
by John Mucciolo
Trainer Todd Pletcher flexed his muscle once again this Saturday, nearly
pulling off a four-race stakes sweep.
Travers S. (G1): Repole Stable’s STAY THIRSTY (Bernardini) laid his
claim as the top three-year-old in training with a convincing tally in this one
under Javier Castellano. The peaking sophomore endured 1 1/4 miles on the fast
main oval in 2:03 for conditioner Todd Pletcher, finishing 1 1/4 lengths clear
at the wire.
King’s Bishop S. (G1): McNeill Stables’ homebred CALEB’S POSSE (Posse)
put in his second fine showing at this meeting by rallying boldly in the lane to
post a minor upset in this dash, catching runner-up Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) on
the wire by a nose. The multiple graded stakes hero smoked seven panels in 1:21
2/5 for trainer Donnie Von Hemel and pilot Rajiv Maragh.
Ballerina S. (G1): Starlight Partners et al’s HILDA’S PASSION
(Canadian Frontier) took an easy early lead in here and never looked back in
striding home 9 1/4 lengths clear for Pletcher. The speedy four-year-old lass
sped seven-eighths in 1:22 under the guidance of Castellano.
Bernard Baruch S. (G2): Donna Arnold’s TURALLURE (Wando) rated
patiently early before exploding in the lane to post a most impressive score
beneath Julien Leparoux. The four-year-old colt went nine panels on the good
turf oval in 1:48 3/5, winning by a widening 2 1/4 lengths for conditioner
Charles Lopresti.
Ballston Spa S. (G2): Team Valor’s DAVERON (Ger) (Black Sam Bellamy
[Ire]) spurted clear in midstretch en route to a fine 1 3/4-length tally in this
affair for trainer Graham Motion. The peaking six-year-old turned 1 1/16 miles
on the firm turf in a swift 1:40 under the guidance of Eddie Castro.
Victory Ride S. (G3): Harold Queen’s HOT SUMMER (Malibu Moon) rallied
strongly along the rail in the stretch to post a half-length victory for trainer
David Fawkes. The sophomore filly stopped the teletimer in 1:10 for six panels
on the fast main oval under Cornelio Velasquez.
Track Stats
A total of 51 races were held over the Saratoga Springs, New York, venue,
with favorites winning at a 37 percent rate and the top two betting choices
combining for 61 percent of the wins. From 32 races on the main oval, 10 animals
won in wire-to-wire fashion (31 percent), and two runners led at every call on
the lawn from 19 races (11 percent).
The main oval played pretty fairly this week, with speed doing best after the
rains came on Thursday, and it was also fairly good on Saturday, but not a
violent bias as was the case in 2010 for the Travers. We still prefer early
types, especially in two-turn races on this deep oval.
Speed was not as good on the turf as it has been, but for most of the meet
early types have had an edge and we’ll still side with those as the meet comes
to an end.
Meet Totals:
| RACES: | 329 | |
| DIRT: | 194 | |
| TURF: | 135 | |
| FAVORITES: | 106 (31 percent) | |
| 2ND CHOICES: | 72 (22 percent) | |
| TURF WIRE: | 26 (21 percent) | |
| DIRT WIRE: | 62 (32 percent) |
HORSES TO WATCH
Wednesday (8/24)
8TH — The talented BUCKLEUPBUTTERCUP (Najran) benefited from a pace duel in
the early stages to blow past her foes in a fine closing run under Castellano.
The graded-winning four-year-old rebounded nicely from a subpar showing earlier
at the meeting and should be stakes-bound in her subsequent affair.
Thursday (8/25)
5TH — METROLOGY (Purge) won from off the pace in this spot, rallying to reel
in a clear leader late in a sharp effort for trainer Rudy Rodriguez. Virtually
no horse made up ground on the main oval this afternoon, so we give extra credit
to this gelding for getting the job done.
Friday (8/26)
8TH — Multiple graded winner TO HONOR AND SERVE (Bernardini) proved that he
is back following this 8 1/4-length romp for trainer Bill Mott. The classy
sophomore withstood an early duel to cruise home against a moderate field. We
still think this one might be more of a miler, but when he gets clear early he
often forgets to stop. The colt will be graded bound next time.
Saturday (8/27)
2ND — FIRE ON ICE (Unbridled’s Song) sent notice to his fellow juveniles
that he can really run following a dominating debut win here for trainer John
Kimmel. The well-backed gray colt was never challenged in here and smoked six
furlongs in a superb 1:09 3/5 under David Cohen. This one could be any type and
will be exciting to watch this fall.
5TH — MISS NETTA (Street Sense) flew out of the gate and never faced any
pressure in rolling to a facile 2 3/4-length win for conditioner Kiaran
McLaughlin. The impressive juvenile miss is bred to run long and gave the
impression she was just out for a morning drill in here. It is way too early to
tell, but we envision her being a serious sophomore in 2012.
YELLOW BOAT (Lemon Drop Kid) was more than six lengths clear in second on
this day and looms large in her return engagement for trainer Seth Benzel.
7TH — FIZZANO (Pleasant Tap) was always handled like the best horse in this
race and the James Bond trainee proved so in a comfortable tally here with Ramon
Dominguez in the saddle. The sophomore has run a trio of big races on the grass
in succession and could be of stakes quality on the New York circuit.
11TH — Champion UNCLE MO put in a pretty solid effort here off the long
break, finishing an agonizingly close second in here for Pletcher. The
mega-talented star did break a bit tardily and drift in as he swept to the front
in early stretch, but it was a big effort in a fast time and he should move
forward off of this. It’s good to see him back.
12TH — Stay Thirsty got a very good trip due to his natural speed and
ability, and proved best in this one, but getting a final quarter mile in :26
2/5 doesn’t instill confidence in us about his chances of tackling elders in the
near future.
A Look Ahead
A huge week of stakes action helps close out the Saratoga meeting. Saturday
is as big as it gets, with the $750,000 Woodward S. (G1), $300,000 Personal
Ensign S. (G1) and $250,000 Forego S. (G1) on tap.
The Sunday card plays host to the $250,000 Spinaway S. (G1) and $150,000
Saranac S. (G3), while closing Monday will be led by the $250,000 Hopeful S.
(G1) and $100,000 Glens Falls S. (G3).