Saratoga Notebook

SARATOGA NOTEBOOK

AUGUST 29, 2014

by John Mucciolo

A huge weekend of racing, led by the Travers Stakes, topped the action at

Saratoga Race Course.

Travers S. (G1): Magalen O Bryant's V.E. DAY (English Channel) slowly

began getting closer inside the final furlong and got up by a nose in the final

jump to post the upset under a fine ride by Javier Castellano. The rapidly

improving colt finished up 10 furlongs on the fast main strip in 2:20 4/5 for

trainer Jimmy Jerkens, who also saddled the runner-up.

King's Bishop S. (G1): Alex and Joann Lieblong's THE BIG BEAST (Yes

It's True) wore down the clear leader inside the final sixteenth to post his

first graded tally for conditioner Tony Dutrow. The surging sophomore colt was a

neck clear on the line, stopping the teletimer in 1:22 1/5 for seven panels on

the fast dirt under Castellano.

Personal Ensign S. (G1): Juddmonte Farms' homebred CLOSE HATCHES

(First Defence) took a nice lead on the backstretch and gave her foes little

chance thereafter under Joel Rosario, drawing off by five convincing lengths.

The Bill Mott trainee went nine panels on the muddy, sealed main oval in 1:50

3/5.

Ballerina S. (G1): Mary and Chester Broman's homebred ARTEMIS AGROTERA

(Roman Ruler) tracked in second to the top of the lane, took over readily in

early stretch and cruised home a facile 6 1/2-length winner for trainer Mike

Hushion. The multiple Grade 1 heroine sped seven-eighths on the fast main

surface in a snappy 1:21 4/5 under Rajiv Maragh.

Ballston Spa H. (G2): Phipps Stable's ABACO (Giant's Causeway) sat in

last to the top of the lane, moved widest of all in the final furlong and got up

by a neck late beneath Jose Ortiz. The Shug McGaughey trainee went 1 1/16 miles

on the good turf oval in 1:42 3/5.

Track Stats

A total of 65 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 54 percent of the wins during the week. From 39 races on the main oval, nine

animals won in wire-to-wire fashion (23 percent), while five of the 26 races on

the lawn were taken all the way on the front (19 percent).

Eight of the nine wire-to-wire winners on the dirt came Thursday and Friday,

when the main surface had some moisture in it. Just one led all the way from 19

tries during the other four days of racing.

All five turf wire jobs occurred in route races -- three on the inner and two

the outer.

Trainer Chad Brown had another solid week and Todd Pletcher did not, and the

latter's lead in the trainers' race has dwindled to four. The stretch run is

down to this pair. Kiaran McLaughlin, whom we have touted for a few weeks, had

another strong week and was a few head bobs away from a huge one. This barn is

winning at a 22 percent clip here.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens continues to fly high at The Spa, winning at a

sensational 39 percent rate. His fantastic line reads 23-9-4-2 and he saddled

the one-two finishers in the signature race of the meeting.

Irad Ortiz Jr. might not reel in Javier Castellano in the jockeys' race, with

eight wins to make up, but he surely will be in the top two barring something

unforeseen. His 21 percent win rate in superb for the  demanding meeting.

He has booted home horses to a total of more than $4 million in purse money.

Meet Totals

RACES:		348
DIRT:		190
TURF:		158
FAVORITES:		117 (36 percent)
2ND CHOICES:		81 (22 percent)
TURF WIRE:		34 (24 percent)
DIRT WIRE:		51 (30 percent)

HORSES TO WATCH

Wednesday (8/20)

7TH -- KENZADARGENT (Kendargent) was well backed in her U.S. debut and the

sophomore filly responded with a fine closing run to top this field going away.

We're not sure what the Chad Brown pupil defeated in this spot, but it was a

nice start to her stateside campaign.

8TH -- Christophe Clement's aptly named SARATOGA DREAMER (Elusive Quality)

ranged up into contention approaching the turn for home and exploded late in a

powerful debut score on the lawn under Irad Ortiz Jr. The well-meant colt really

impressed us and we think he has a big future with steady development.

Friday (8/22)

3RD -- MEWANNAROSE (Bwana Charlie) couldn't catch the sharp winner but

finished up well to be a clear second on this day, his first run since May. The

Chris Englehart trainee could be very tough next out with even slight

improvement.

7TH -- GAP YEAR (Bernardini) broke slowly and had a lot of ground to make up

in the lane after cornering extremely wide, but this first timer almost pulled

it off with a huge rally, finishing just a nose and head shy of winning in this

fine debut. The Kiaran McLaughlin-trained juvenile filly should be graduating

next time out and could be a very good one with more seasoning.

Saturday (8/23)

2ND -- IMPERIA (Medaglia d'Oro) was a bit unlucky not to have won at first

asking in this turf debut as he just fell short behind a loose on the lead

winner who had everything his own way. The McLaughlin trainee made a bold late

run and should be graduating before long after being more than three lengths

clear of third. The colt got his five five-sixteenths in a wicked :28 4/5!

10TH -- THE BIG BEAST looked to always have this race measured and we think

he could be any kind going forward. The sophomore appeared to have more to offer

at the end of seven furlongs, so additional ground may prove very doable, and he

rates as a very exciting prospect.

11TH -- We didn't think the dominant score by ARTEMIS AGROTERA was a fluke by

any means in this one and she could be among the top few one-turn distaffers in

training. She made short work of a very good field today.

Sunday (8/24)

2ND -- We thought the Richard Violette-trained UPSTART (Flatter) was

especially impressive in running down a very clear one late to remain unbeaten.

The New York-bred juvenile finished up in a solid final time and showed a ton of

heart -- and is reportedly going to tackle open foes next out.

Monday (8/25)

5TH -- PUCA (Big Brown) always looked to have horse on the backstretch and

nearing the top of the lane, and the Bill Mott trainee finished with excellent

energy in finishing a clear third in a tough field. We expect this juvenile

filly to continue to improve and be a useful sort for sure.

9TH -- FREE AS A BIRD (Hard Spun) makes this list yet again after another

tally when it looked as she had no chance, only to fly late and get up. The Ian

Wilkes charge seems to know exactly where the wire is and we will never feel

comfortable betting against this gem of a mare.

A Look Ahead

A huge closing weekend is upon us at Saratoga, with eight graded races on tap

through Labor Day. Saturday will play host to a quartet of graded races in the

Grade 1, $600,000 Woodward Stakes; Grade 1, $500,000 Forego Stakes; Grade 2,

$300,000 Prioress Stakes; and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap.

The Sunday card is led by the Grade 1, $350,000 Spinaway Stakes and it is

accompanied by the Grade 3, $150,000 Glens Falls Stakes. The Holiday program

features the Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful Stakes and the Grade 3, $300,000 Saranac

Stakes.

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