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Thursday, August 21, 2008

Saratoga Notes

- Impressive run by Relatively Ready in Wednesday's second. Dead last down the backstretch after being steadied repeatedly early as Get Stormy set a leisurely uncontested pace, this two-year old son of More Than Ready took off on the turn, circled the field a good 5-6 wide, and closed with a rush (6 seconds flat final eighth) for the win. Winning trainer David Donk just missed with the tough luck Dancing Tin Man on Sunday. This colt is out of an Argentinian mare by Parade Marshal (Caro) and has a couple of that country's champions in her distaff family. Umbra was second as the favorite for Pletcher, another strong effort by a debut runner for that barn.

Consequence was a first out winner for Shug in the 5th. Recall that he went over two years without a debut winner; but he now has had three since Tourism broke the streak in June. Consequence is by El Prado, out of the Phipps' G1 winner Educated Risk (a half to their G1 winner Inside Information.).

The bettors went for the two Triple Crown also-rans Big Truck and Icabad Crane in the state-bred Albany Handicap. That made the undefeated FL shipper Tin Cup Chalice third choice despite his win in th Mike Lee on his prior NYRA invasion. I had to double check to confirm this was a dirt race when I saw the fractions. The winner set a crawling pace of 25.66 and 50.88, before completing the mile and an eighth in splits of 24.45, 23.81, and 12.19 for the final eighth. Up to that last furlong, Tin Cup Chalice ran each quarter faster than the prior one. I don't notice that much at all when it comes to natural dirt racing. He's a three-year old gelded son of Crusader Sword, who stands in NY for $1,000.

I mentioned trainer Ken McPeek the other day, adding him to the unofficial trainer watch list. In the third, his Lady of Holiday rallied strongly for third at 27-1.

If I recall correctly, this is around the time of the year that the Richard Schosberg barn got red hot last summer. This barn won the 7th with Tomlinson Hill $12.40). Schosberg also had two seconds on Monday. Maybe if I'd noticed that before now, we could have made a little money on his winner today. Neither McPeek nor Schosberg have entries for Thursday, but I'll be keeping an eye on both.

Bruce Brown won the 10th with Bella Attrice ($15.20), nice price on a horse moving up in class off a solid win at 3-2). And the trainer claimed losing favorite Flibberjibit from Ken Ramsey in the first. Not a great day for that owner on Wednesday, out of the money with each of his three entries.

5 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Buckley's death was tragic, but he was like most in the game.

Notice Number : FL 71 - 2004

Violation Location :

Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack

Date of Occurrence :

October 19 , 2004

Isssuing Location :

Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack

Date of Issuance :

October 22 , 2004



JOCKEY


PARKER R . BUCKLEY, III

( Licensed As )



To Be Completed


( Licensee )


( New York State Racing License Number )



You are hereby notified that :


You are fined the sum of TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS AND ZERO CENTS ( $ 200 . 00 ). Please make check or money
order payable to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board .


You will be ineligible to participate unless this fine is paid by November 6 , 2004 . Failure to pay by the
delinquency date of November 21 , 2004 will result in the assessment of interest or a late payment charge and
may result in other charges relating to collection .


New York Thoroughbred Racing Rule Invoked : 4022 . 11 . 14 . 21 .


ENGAGED IN AN ALTERCATION IN THE PADDOCK CHUTE AFTER RACE 2 ON 10 / 19 / 2004

Anonymous said...

Tin Cup Chalice taking the Big Apple TC is a great fine story and that Albany victory was thrilling. He slowed the field down to a crawl and killed them. As to why Big Truck wasn't asked to take the lead on the back stretch I'll never know.

TCC at two weeks old contracted botulism then after getting past that suffered severe colic.

Grit and determination to win that race by holding on must've come from his dam. He's is out of the winning Spectacular Bid mare Twice Forbidden. Go Bid!

Anonymous said...

Call this the PP++.

http://www.racing.state.ny.us/racing/racing.home.htm

Anonymous said...

Steve Crist intimated very quietly that Flying Zee was paid off to scratch. Tin Cup got an easy lead and Dominguez decided to pop the cork way too soon, taking out Big Truck a bit.

Anonymous said...

Why the grudge against a dead man?

For getting into an altercation, gimme a break.

No class.